STURRIDGE STAYS
England striker cannot leave as Liverpool line up loan move for Ings
LIVERPOOL are ready to let Danny Ings leave on loan, scuppering Daniel Sturridge’s chances of departing in January. Newcastle United, Stoke and West Ham are among the clubs to have shown an interest in Ings, who has battled back following two major knee surgeries. Manager Jurgen Klopp recognises the 25-year-old striker needs games to regain his sharpness but at a greater level of competition than Liverpool’s Under 23 squad.
Ings has appeared as a late substitute against Everton and Bournemouth in recent weeks and is now keen to start games.
Allowing Ings to leave means Liverpool need to keepp Sturridge. Valenciancia and Real Betis have been monitoring hishis situation as theyey weigh up a January offer but Klopp sees him as back- up to first choice Roberto Firmino.
Sturridge is desperate to play and force his way into thee England reckoningng for this summer’ser’s World Cup.
But Klopp stillill rates him highly and will continue to use the 28- year- old, even predominantly from the bench.
Dominic Solanke has also pressed his claims to feature more but Sturridge’s finishing and proven goalscoring record makes him the better option.
Sturridge still has 18 months left on his contract and in the current market Liverpool would rate him at £30million. Yet they do not intend to listen to offers until the summer.
Meanwhile, Klopp wants to turn Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain into the free- scoring midfielder he never was at Arsenal. Oxlade- if Chamberlain returns to the Emirates for the first time tomorrow and asked about his progress at Anfield, Klopp said:‘I think the biggest improvement and potential is being involved in goalscoring situations. It is unbelievable but he was not asked for this too much before.
‘If you watch Arsenal in the past their two decisive players were Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez. They were involved in a lot of moments and decisive passes. ‘Here we put it on many more shoulders. If Alex is on the pitch he needs to be involved involve in these situations. atio At the moment mo it’s all good. go There is a lot lo of space for improvement i as well.’ w
Klopp made it clear that he was w not criticising i the 24-yearold, o who only sc ored nine league lea goals for Arsenal. Arse So far for Liverpool Liverp OxladeChamberlain Chambe has not maded hihimselflf a regular pick and has scored once in five Premier League starts.
When he arrived at Anfield one of the things he hoped he had seen the back of was playing as a wing-back. Certainly Klopp knows that the England player’s best position is further forward.
Klopp said: ‘His main skills are offensive, that’s true. He is such an athlete. When he came here we spoke about his best position. He can be more involved offensively and better protected defensively. So for me it’s not a big issue if he is a winger or a midfielder.
‘He is still a young player and can improve. But he isn’t discussing positions with me any more. We just try to give him the information and he enjoys it.’
Klopp will take his team to the Emirates hoping to continue his good record against Arsenal. Liverpool have scored 14 times in their last four games against Arsene Wenger’s team, winning three and drawing the other.
Klopp said he has sensed no slackening off with Philippe Coutinho despite Spanish reports suggesting Barcelona will be back with another big offer for the Brazilian in January nor with Emre Can, who is out of contract next summer and expected to leave on a free transfer.
Klopp said: ‘It’s all about the behaviour of the players. I work with them every day and neither Emre or Phil give me the impression that they are not interested in what we are doing.
‘And that is all I care about until the moment we have to make a decision.’