We take a look at the key news stories surrounding Liverpool from the day
Kris Boys says Daniel Sturridge must leave Liverpool
Daniel Sturridge’s time is up at Liverpool, according to former Rangers striker Kris Boyd. Sturridge has been constantly injured for the last two and a half years and has not been Jurgen Klopp’s first choice even when fit.
Sturridge has started just four times in the Premier League this season with Jurgen Klopp utilising Roberto Firmino as a forward instead. And this had left Boyd in no doubt that the 27-year-old will be made surplus to requirements at Anfield in the new year.
“I don’t think there’s any question about how good Daniel Sturridge is as a player, but I think his time is up at Liverpool and he’ll have to move on to find regular football.” he said, according to Sky Sports.
“There’s no doubt he’s a talented footballer, but when somebody is coming in and scoring goals like Origi has, every time he has come in he has not let Liverpool down, it’s difficult.
“Does Klopp really fancy Sturridge? Even when he’s fit, he’s not played a lot of football.”
Sturridge will not be short of suitors should Liverpool choose to sell him as the footballer’s talent cannot be questioned. He has been linked with several clubs over the last year, particularly Arsenal and these links are bound to resurface if Sturridge still struggles to break into the first team.
Benteke opens up on Liverpool exit
Christian Benteke has opened up on the reasons behind his Liverpool exit and has maintained that he had no problems with manager Jurgen Klopp.
Benteke joined Crystal Palace in the summer for a £27m fee, which could rise to £32m based on add-ons. He has hit the ground running at Palace with 8 goals in 14 league games.
Benteke feels that he had to move on after realising he would not fit in with Klopp’s style of play, even though the German once wanted to sign him at Dortmud.
“I do not think so. We have always had a good relationship,” he said according to L’equipe, when asked if he had issues with Klopp.
“I went to see him when during my first season with Aston Villa in 2013, because he wanted to bring me to Dortmund. He liked my style of play. When I signed for Liverpool, it was Brendan Rodgers who wanted me; Everything looked good and I decided to make the move. But then six matches later he was fired.”
“These are things we have to accept. These are things we must face. When Klopp came, compared to the players at his disposal I was not his first choice. Compared to how he wanted to play, he had perhaps more interesting players than me. I’m not a child; I did not cry, I did not complain, although obviously I wanted to play. It was frustrating.”
“You can’t allow yourself to give up, to stay in the situation of a loser, so you try to find a solution, to be happy. I found that by coming to Crystal Palace, and I’m happy today.”
Karanka thinks Liverpool are the best team Middlesbrough have faced
Liverpool blew away Middlesbrough 3-0 last night in the Premier League after Adam Lallana ran riot against Aitor Karanka’s side. Jurgen Klopp’s men didn’t give Middlesbrough space to breathe with their intense, aggressive pressing and breathtaking attacking play. Even after leading 2-0 they did not drop their intensity and Boro were never in the game.
Aitor Karanka – whose side has managed draws against Arsenal and Manchester City – was left shell-shocked after Liverpool’s performance and feels that Jurgen Klopp’s side are the most difficult side Boro have faced this season.
“It was difficult because we played against the best team we’ve played against this season. It was impossible to stop them.” he said, according to Sky Sports.
“The second half, with two new players we tried to pressure higher, but it was difficult because they showed they were a really good team. And today they can say and admit that they were much, much better than us.”
“Always we have competed against every single team, but today it was impossible. I can’t say anything bad about my players because the fight on the pitch was amazing. It was difficult to go forward when you don’t have the ball.”
Origi says this is just the beginning
Divock Origi has been in fine form for Liverpool since getting a run of games in the side following Philippe Coutinho’s injury.
The Belgian extended his scoring run to make it five goals in five matches on Wednesday night when he netted against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
And the 21-year old feels that while he is on a good run, it is just the beginning for him and he has to keep working.
“I do my best,” Origi explained to Liverpoolfc.com.
“You work in the week and at the weekend you can express [yourself]. You just have to keep on working.
“I have very big goals. For me, it’s only the beginning – I have to keep on making steps. At the end of the season, then you have time to reflect.”
Origi has definitely eased Liverpool’s fears from Coutinho’s injury and if the keeps playing this he is going to leave Klopp with a very difficult decision once Coutinho returns.