Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp urges Daniel Sturridge to keep faith in manager and backroom staff

Jurgen Klopp has urged Daniel Sturridge to be courageous in what has been an unfortunate year in terms of injuries for the England international. The striker is nearing a first-team return, having recovered from a knee injury and the Liverpool manager has told Sturridge that he does not have to face his problems alone.

The striker is set to make his first start in over two months for the Reds in their Capital One Cup quarter-final clash against Southampton at the St Mary's but Klopp insists that he cannot rush into the role and has to repose faith in the manager and the backroom staff to keep him fit for an extended period. Sturridge has failed to get a run of games since a brilliant 2013/14 season where he scored more than 20 goals and led Liverpool to within two points off their first league win in over two decades.

"We are in a different situation when we talk about Daniel. It is not because of his qualities, it is only because of his history. With someone who has had 20 injuries, you cannot be treated like a normal player. We all have our own experiences," Klopp said, as quoted by the Mirror.

"If someone has more injuries than someone else, then they will have more doubt - that is normal. That is why we have to all be together. Nobody is alone at Melwood. We are all in it together. We have to give the right advice in the right moment. Not to play along in these moments."

Liverpool have a host of striking options at their disposal with Christian Benteke and Divock Origi also in the reckoning for a first-team spot. The manager is likely to make a few changes to the squad to start against Southampton given the barrage of fixtures, with Adam Bogdan among the potential list of candidates to get a rare start for the Reds.

"It is a good moment to talk about the goalkeepers at Liverpool. I am absolutely satisfied with our goalkeeping situation. I am sorry to kill your stories about German goalkeepers and goalkeepers from Stoke. We are not looking for another goalkeeper," the Reds manager concluded.