Sturridge hits back at critics

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is set to risk striker Daniel Sturridge and midfielder Philippe Coutinho ahead of Sunday’s Capital One Cup final.

The Liverpool manager’s words suggest that he will name a strong lineup against Augsburg rather than hold back key names such as Daniel Sturridge for Wembley. To say a player doesn’t want to play I think is the greatest disrespect to a footballer. “Of course it’s been a hard time being injured but it’s a part of football and now looking forward to the future – of course with Liverpool”, Sturridge said. We want to play with a certain level of respect, but we also need to be confident and needn’t shy away from the task.

“A few things are clearer now – his future”.

“It’s important to worry about the present”, he told a press conference, when asked about reports he could move on from the Reds.

Turning back to Liverpool, Coutinho added: “Klopp has put his ideas forward and they are helping to make me an even better player”.

Adam Lallana suffered a calm injury and there will be a last minute consideration on his fitness issues before Liverpool host Augsburg. “It’s important to go out with the right mentality and get the job done”. In every normal job not just football it’s how you deal with those situations.

“I hope I can give my best between now and the end of the season and help my team-mates”. He will have given careful thought to which players he wants to play in this match, and which, if any, he wants to rest in preparation for the final. “I’m not just at home or out with my friends chilling”, Sturridge said on Wednesday afternoon.

“They have a new coach who is one of the most experienced in Europe, so I am sure they can be back there soon. We’ll do all we can to succeed”, he said.

Markus Feulner of Augsburg and Emre Can of Liverpool compete for the ball during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg match between FC Augsburg and Liverpool at WWK-Arena on February 18, 2016 in Augsburg, Germany.