Liverpool midfielder Lallana dubs Sturridge ‘world class’

Liverpool have covered 6.9 kilometres extra and made 84 sprints more per match under Jurgen Klopp than Brendan Rodgers in the BPL this term.

Liverpool, who have won at Chelsea and City already under Klopp, visit struggling Newcastle United on Sunday. He has also notched up one assist in three Europa League outings for Klopp’s side.

While recent history does favour Newcastle, it is hard to see anything other than a Liverpool win this time. They hammered Southampton despite having a number of senior players either on the bench or watching at home. It’s a nice problem to have. That is a good sign.

“Sometimes it can be bad luck, even for a long period, but he felt good during the game and at the end of it”.

I can see Liverpool beating Newcastle 4-0 at St James’ Park.

And Liverpool have a kind run of fixtures ahead. Certainly not from the start anyway.

When Sturridge pulled out of last week’s Europa League tie against Bordeaux at the last minute with a foot injury, Klopp was inevitably quizzed about his absence. More importantly however, his players are performing for him on the pitch.

The German coach confirmed a huge blow with the news that Philippe Coutinho is once again ruled out with a hamstring injury that he picked up against Manchester City last month.

Asked about McClaren’s future, Klopp said: “I had seven years at Dortmund, seven years at Mainz, so in my opinion (stability is) very important”.

“It’s a little dance me and Jordon do”, he said. If someone has more injuries than someone else, then they will have more doubt – that is normal.

Koeman’s team were seeking a reaction to successive defeats by Manchester City and Stoke and they wasted no time getting started at St Mary’s. Sturridge didn’t feature in either game, but then he and Origi destroyed Southampton while Coutinho, Firmino and Benteke all sat out. That is really the most important thing. However, Klopp was not willing to risk the midfielder and wants to approach his situation cautiously. Origi deflected in Alberto Moreno’s shot right on the interval – his first goal for Liverpool – and there was no way back for Southampton as they ended up well beaten and outclassed. “There are another 30, 35 games to go this season depending on the cups and I don’t know how long it will take and I don’t think about that”, he said.

Newcastle are in woeful form and were thrashed 5-1 last time out at Crystal Palace to heap the pressure on the former England boss.