Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino has said that the club World Cup success is significant for the Reds. The Merseyside outfit qualified for the tournament after winning the Champions League last term and they managed to go all the way as they beat Monterrey and Flamengo in the semi-final and final respectively.

Following the trophy celebration, Firmino acknowledged that a large section of England were not watching the game but the success in the competition means a lot for the club, he told: “We’ve already written a small part of history winning the Champions League but now we have added a trophy which has never been won before.

Former Liverpool star Michael Owen has said that he is not excited by the progress of Erling Haaland at Red Bull Salzburg. The 19-year-old has netted a sublime tally of 28 goals from just 21 games for the Austrian giants and that has linked him with a potential move to the Premier League with Manchester United next month.

Speaking to BT Sport, Owen said that he has not been amazed by the exploits of Haaland, given the Norwegian does not have many attributes other than finding the back of the net. He added that the teenager has done exceptionally well at the moment but the lack of versatility in his game could restrict him from succeeding at the big stage.

Sky Sports pundit Leon Osman has heaped praise on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has recently returned to the Liverpool mix after a long-term knee problem. The England international barely featured for the Reds last term after going through rehabilitation for an anterior cruciate ligament damage sustained during the backend of the 2017/18 season.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Osman spoke positively about the quality of the former Arsenal man and he has been impressed by the fact that the 26-year-old has been able to adapt to a central midfield role under Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has said that winning trophies has never been a motivation factor during his career. The Reds came on the cusp of securing their maiden league title last term but they were beaten to the finish by Manchester City, who managed just one point more during the course of the 2018/19 season.

Still, the Reds managed to shed the disappointment with a sixth Champions League title and that ended a seven-year wait for a trophy. The Merseyside outfit have since won the UEFA Super Cup after getting the better of Chelsea but manager Klopp insists winning matches are more important to him than the trophy cabinet.

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has pointed out that he has been unimpressed with Liverpool’s defensive resolve during the early stages of the season. The Reds have already played four games across all competitions this term and there has been a surprise from the fact that they have failed to keep a single clean sheet.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Shearer gave the example of the recent game against Southampton, where they were a couple of dodgy moments in the backline. He added to blame Adrian for the poor goal conceded while highlighting that the Reds had conceded 14 attempts on goal which barely happened during the course of the previous campaign, he said: “Tiredness without doubt was there. But they have looked pretty dodgy defensively. Ings closing him down, in the back of the net, poor mistake. They conceded 14 shots today, that only happened once last season.”

Life for Daniel Sturridge at his new club Trabzonspor hasn’t exactly been going according to plan.

The former Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City striker recently moved to the Black Sea on a free transfer, hoping to inject a new lease of life into his career as well as a Trabzonspor side looking to make gains.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has indicated that Rhian Brewster could have an important role to play for the team next season. The teenager has yet to make a competitive appearance for the Reds but he has been highly-rated by the coaching staff at the club and has been fancied to make his first-team debut in the near future.

Speaking in a press conference, Klopp praised the 19-year-oldand said that the forward could feature in some games for the club next term, he said: “I love the boy, he is fantastic player. Why should I play it down? Rhian Brewster is a top striker, he is a top talent and I have told him already that he has an important role this year – but how important depends on him.”

Former Tottenham Hotspur graduate Jamie O’Hara has said that Spurs should take the opportunity to sign Daniel Sturridge this summer. The England international was released from Liverpool following the expiry of his contract last month and since then, he has been widely touted to make the move to Major League Soccer.

Speaking to TalkSPORT, O’Hara said that Spurs should consider the recruitment of Sturridge this summer, given the Englishman can provide the ideal partnership to Harry Kane upfront, should he remain fit for an extended period of time, he told: “Daniel Sturridge is on a free. He could fit in across the front three which Spurs play or a two, Sturridge and Harry Kane up front, if you are playing a diamond with two upfront. If you can get him fit, he’s a great signing surely on a free contract.”

Former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison has said that Daniel Sturridge has the credentials to play in the Premier League despite his recent release from Liverpool. The England international has had his fair share of injuries over the past five years and that has ultimately urged the Reds to part ways with his services.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, Morrison suggested that Sturridge may not be good enough for the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City but he still has the technical ability to suit a team like Arsenal, he said: “I believe Daniel Sturridge is still good enough to play in the Premier League. He’s got great technical ability. Before all of his injuries, for me personally, I think he was the best English striker in the county.

Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge has said that he is focused on the Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur rather than pondering regarding his future at the club. The England international has just one month remaining on his current deal with the Reds and he looks certain to part ways with the team with a contract renewal far from coming.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Sturridge stressed that the focus would be on the entire squad rather than a single individual as the Reds seek to secure their sixth Champions League crown, he said: “To be successful you need to use the squad, everyone has a role to play. If you look over the years at finals that have been played, there have been players who have hardly played any games that have scored goals. Or won tournaments for their countries or won finals for their teams, players who aren’t on the pitch who come on and make a difference as well. So it’s important for everybody to be tuned in to everything that’s needed for the team to be successful next week.”