Klopp rebuffs Sevilla interest in Sturridge
Inter also interested as Liverpool seek £30m Club condemn Flanagan after assault on partner
Daniel Sturridge is the subject of interest from Sevilla, whose efforts to sign the 28-year-old Liverpool striker on loan have been rebuffed. Inter Milan have also expressed interest in signing him.
He is also being pursued by English clubs, although Liverpool’s valuation of £30million has been seen as a risk to any deal.
Sturridge has not played recently due to injury, and his Anfield career has often been interrupted by periods of rehabilitation. He is currently only a back-up for manager Jurgen Klopp, and wants to leave, while Klopp is keen to ensure he has plenty of options in the event of others suffering injury.
Last season Sturridge found himself in a similar position, but returned late in the campaign to play a key role in Liverpool finishing in the top four. Sturridge knows his chances of going to the World Cup with England are dwindling unless he plays regularly between now and the end of the season.
West Ham, Southampton and Arsenal have all been linked with a move in recent years and months.
One player Liverpool have allowed to leave – albeit temporarily – is midfielder Marko Grujic. The Serbian has moved to promotionchasing Cardiff City.
“This is perhaps the breakthrough moment of my career. I am aware that I’ve got a great chance, playing for the next six months in a big club,” said Grujic. “I want to thank Mr Klopp for everything he’s done for me. He’s encouraged me many times over the last 18 months and I believe that I will justify his confidence. I hope I can get Cardiff to the Premier League.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool have expressed their “disappointment and anger” towards defender Jon Flanagan, after the 25-year-old was sentenced to a 12-month community order yesterday for assaulting his partner, Rachael Wall.
Flanagan pleaded guilty to a common assault charge this month after being arrested and questioned in the early hours of Dec 22 following an incident in Liverpool city centre. District Judge Wendy Lloyd sentenced Flanagan at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court to the community order, which includes 15 rehabilitation activity days and 40 hours of unpaid work.
“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the player’s actions during the events that took place resulting in this criminal conviction,” a Liverpool spokesman said.
“It leaves his own reputation damaged and, through association, he has severely let down the club he had previously represented with distinction. We have expressed to him our disappointment and anger that he has failed to live up to the values of Liverpool Football Club, in this specific instance.”
Liverpool also said that an internal investigation regarding Flanagan would be conducted to decide on further disciplinary action.
Liverpool-born Flanagan has made 51 senior appearances but has struggled for game time. His only appearance this campaign came in the League Cup defeat by Leicester City in September.