Daniel Sturridge prepared to quit Liverpool as striker fumes at injury criticism

Forward poised to leave Anfield having grown tired of doubts over his commitment to the club

(2015 Liverpool FC)

Daniel Sturridge is prepared to leave Liverpool this summer having been angered by doubts over his desire to play for the club.

A succession of injuries have limited Sturridge to just six first-team appearances this season, with Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, making public his frustrations with the striker.

Klopp is understood to be perplexed by the 26-year-old’s attitude to pain and the pair’s relationship is becoming strained, with Sturridge tired of his commitment being questioned and willing to consider a summer exit.

The striker has two-and-a-half years to run on his £150,000-a-week contract, meaning Liverpool will be able to demand a high price should he decide to leave, although his terrible injury record is likely to impact on his value.

Arsenal could be the favourites to sign him; according to Sportsmail, the Gunners considered moving for the then Chelsea striker in January 2013, but were put off by his price and Sturridge ended up moving to Liverpool for £12m.

There will be plenty of interest in Sturridge should he decide to leave Anfield, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur all likely to be in the market for a new striker.

Sturridge returned to training on Thursday but will not feature against Sunderland in the league on Saturday. He could be on contention for the FA Cup replay against West Ham on Tuesday.

He scored 28 goals for Liverpool during their title challenge in 2013-14 and, alongside Luis Suarez, became one of the most highly-rated strikers in Europe.

Since then, however, injuries have steadily curtailed his impact; he featured 19 times for club and country last season, but has not played since Liverpool’s defeat to Newcastle in December.

Klopp said earlier this season Sturridge must learn the difference between ‘serious pain and only pain’, but the Liverpool manager has generally appeared supportive of the player and has stopped well short of publically questioning his attitude or commitment.

Former players, however, have been more brutal in their assessment. Dietmar Hamann said Sturridge’s problems are more psychological than physical, while Phil Thompson was also critical.