Liverpool: Striker Daniel Sturridge wants to stay at Liverpool and fight for a starting role under manager Juergen Klopp at the Premier League club, the 28-year-old has said.
Sturridge has been hampered by a spate of injuries during the last few years with the England international passing the 10-goal mark only once over the last four seasons, scoring 13 in the 2015-16 season.
He was loaned out to West Bromwich Albion in January but failed to make an impact at the Hawthorns outfit, failing to score in six appearances for the relegated club.
Local media reports linked Sturridge with a move away from Liverpool but manager Klopp said this week that the striker still has a future at Anfield.
“I see myself staying at Liverpool, hopefully being part of the team week in, week out,” Sturridge told the Daily Mirror.
“Pre-season is going well, so for me it’s keeping my head down and building on that. I’m excited about the season ahead and it feels great to be back.” Sturridge, who was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England team for the World Cup, has played in all three of Liverpool’s pre-season friendlies so far.
Liverpool continue their pre-season fixtures against Blackburn Rovers on Thursday before heading to the United States to face Borussia Dortmund, league rivals Manchester City and Manchester United in the International Champions Cup.
Meanwhile, Liverpool forward Rhian Brewster has committed his future to the club by signing a five-year contract, his first professional deal at the Premier League side.
The 18-year-old England youth international won the Golden Boot at the Under-17 World Cup, scoring eight goals to help his nation win the tournament in India, and Liverpool will be delighted to have secured his signature.
“It seems like I’ve been here my whole life, to be honest. It’s coming up to my fifth season now. I (still) remember my first training session. It’s amazing and I can’t wait to get started,” Brewster told the Liverpool website.
Brewster is yet to feature for the senior squad but has impressed for the youth side, scoring five goals in 11 league appearances last season as the club finished second in the developmental Premier League 2.
The teenager, who is currently nursing an ankle ligament injury, was named in the first team squad for Liverpool’s league match against Crystal Palace in April 2017 but was an unused substitute.
