Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp warns Daniel Sturridge 'nobody's undroppable' despite match-winning performance

Sturridge set-up Roberto Firmino's opener against Bournemouth before scoring the second, yet Klopp has warned the striker he could still find himself out of the first team

Jurgen Klopp has warned Daniel Sturridge he is not undroppable (Getty)

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has warned Daniel Sturridge that he is not undroppable despite the England striker's impressive display against Bournemouth.

Having been restored to the starting XI at the Vitality Stadium - as one of 10 changes made by Klopp from their midweek European exploits - Sturridge created the visitors' opening goal, scored their second and almost added a further two in their 2-1 Barclays Premier League win.

Klopp preferred Divock Origi from the start against Borussia Dortmund in midweek and previously told Sturridge he needed to learn the difference between "serious pain and what is only pain" following a number of injury problems.

And the Liverpool boss responded angrily in the post-match press conference when asked about Sturridge's performance before that of his team.

The 48-year-old German said: "Nobody is undroppable. I never look at any player and think 'I can't leave him out.' As a manager I decide if I play with one, two, three or four strikers.

"He's a brilliant player. (But) this is a game with 11 players. And we come to this. And you are interested in one player? Each player had influence. I understand it as a team game. I enjoyed the game of Daniel Sturridge.

"We have a football game and you want to talk about one player at the first moment. That's not the role I like. He was very good, but if you are not interested in the game..."

Asked if he agreed Sturridge, who has been linked with a summer exit from Anfield, won Sunday's game for Liverpool, Klopp said: "No.

"That's how you understand football? You work really in sport? One player can win a game?

"Was there a cross (for Sturridge's goal) or not? We live on different planets."


 Roberto Firmino scores the opening goal for Liverpool 
 (Getty)

Sturridge's goal - a header in first-half stoppage time from Jordon Ibe's free-kick after his backheel had earlier provided the tap-in from which Roberto Firmino gave Liverpool the lead - was his sixth in the league this season and came on only his eighth start.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe was disappointed with his side's display, despite Joshua King's stoppage-time strike setting up a late push for a point.


 Sturridge celebrates scoring the winner against Bournemouh 
 (Getty)

He said: "For the home team, we didn't get near their goal enough (or) put them under enough pressure.

"The second half was a lot better. We grew into the game, ended well with a good goal and could have snatched a point at the end."