Daniel Sturridge considering Liverpool exit in January to boost World Cup chances

Daniel Sturridge is considering leaving Liverpool in January in order to boost his chances of making England's World Cup squad, according to reports.

Sturridge, 28, has only started five Premier League games for the Reds this season despite being fit for the majority of the campaign.

The Daily Mail says the England international is open to playing for a foreign club, with Spanish clubs Real Betis and Valencia reported to be monitoring his situation at Anfield.

Sturridge has 18 months left on his Liverpool contract, which is potentially worth as much as £150,000 per week.

The 28-year-old has only sporadically featured for Liverpool this season, with manager Jurgen Klopp mostly sticking with his preferred attacking trident of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

Summer signing Dominic Solanke also appears to have moved ahead of Sturridge in the Anfield pecking order in recent weeks.

Klopp said last month that Sturridge would get more chances to play during the busy festive period.

"The situation with the player is OK. I can imagine a player with his quality is not happy that he is not starting all the time. I really can imagine that. But that's all," the German was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

"We need all our players. There is around one and a half months before the window opens and I don't think about things like this. There are so many games before then and I need all of them."

Former Reds defender Phil Thompson urged Sturridge to leave Liverpool in January, saying he would not make the World Cup squad if he stayed at Anfield.

"As a Liverpool fan, I want to see our squad remain together because it isn't that big as it is and he does enhance it. However, on a personal side, having been a player, I'd be worried his chance is passing him by," Thompson told Sky Sports last month.