The Citizen (Gauteng)

Fit Sturridge boon for Reds

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– It was a sight that a few months ago would have been unthinkabl­e – Liverpool a goal down in a big game, and Mohamed Salah hauled off by manager Juergen Klopp.

Klopp got the goal he craved for a 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Saturday that preserved Liverpool’s unbeaten Premier League start, not via Salah’s immediate replacemen­t Xherdan Shaqiri, but another late substitute, Daniel Sturridge.

A reborn Sturridge (above) is now Liverpool’s joint top scorer so far this season with four goals despite remaining behind Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane in Klopp’s pecking order.

That he has remained there to be counted on at all, though, is a huge boost to Klopp’s quest to both go one step further in the Champions League this season and deliver a first-ever Premier League title, 29 years after they last won the English top flight.

“Thank God he is here,” said Klopp after Sturridge’s sensationa­l dipping effort from outside the box secured a point at Stamford Bridge.

“It would be really unlucky for both sides if he was not. He is in the best shape since we’ve worked together.”

Sturridge has endured an injury-ravaged three years since Klopp took charge.

Farmed out to West Bromwich Albion in January in a bid to refind his form and fitness, Sturridge’s hamstring went again in his third game and he never scored for the Baggies as they were relegated.

“He was always a bit unlucky with injuries and stuff like that. That’s how it is, timing in life is pretty important,” added Klopp. “Now, the timing is perfect. We need him desperatel­y and he is fit.”

Sturridge’s return further strengthen­s a squad already bolstered by the summer signings of Shaqiri, Naby Keita and Fabinho.

That contrasts starkly with the limited options available to Klopp when Salah went off injured just 30 minutes into last season’s Champions League final.

“We have a great squad, world-class players, and he’s one of them,” said Virgil van Dijk, whose own £75 million move from Southampto­n in January has transforme­d their defence. –

London

He is in the best shape since we’ve been working together.

Juergen Klopp Liverpool manager

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