Jurgen Klopp has dismissed suggestions that Daniel Sturridge is frustrated with the role he’s being asked to play for Liverpool.
Sturridge, 26, featured on the right side last weekend as Liverpool were defeated 2-0 by Burnley in the Premier League, and was used in a similar capacity in the 5-0 victory over Burton Albion in the League Cup on Tuesday.
Speaking after that match, Sturridge said that he was finding it hard to play in a wide role rather than as a centre-forward.
“In the modern-day game you have to try and be flexible, but everyone knows my best position,” Sturridge said.
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“I’m a player who plays on instinct, and in the middle I have clarity on movements and things that I have been doing for years.
“I am not saying I am happy to do it, I am saying I have to do a job for the team.”
Despite the suggestion of frustration from Sturridge, Klopp has said any claims of unrest from the forward are greatly exaggerated.
“There is absolutely no problem,” Klopp said. “I don’t want to play Daniel as a wide player but he can play there.
“Burnley and Burton weren’t games where I needed an offensive winger. It wasn’t a fixed position for him.”
Despite a toothless performance against Burnley last weekend, Klopp has no shortage of offensive options, having added Sadio Mane to the likes of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi.
“Daniel is a very smart player. He’s good at getting himself into positions where it’s not easy to defend,” Klopp said. “It’s flexible football. It’s about getting in and around the box.”
Sturridge scored twice as Liverpool thrashed Burton in midweek, and could be in line to return to the starting line-up when Klopp’s side travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
“You need to find rhythm,” Klopp said. “It’s same for us and Tottenham. I’ve seen a lot of good signs from us.”
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