Daniel Sturridge Could Face West Brom with Future Still Uncertain

Saturday’s announcement of the teamsheets may say a lot about the striker’s future.

Inter Milan have offered Liverpool a significant loan fee, to pay all of Daniel Sturridge’s wages, and are open to taking him permanently in the summer should he prove his fitness with them in the spring. This has added up to Liverpool signalling they are open to Sturridge’s departure.

Sturridge, though, appears unconvinced by the proposed deal, and there have been persistent reports suggesting he still prefers the idea of going to Sevilla for the remainder of the season. But with Sevilla unwilling to match Inter’s offer, that appears impossible. As a result, Sturridge may stay.

It has been widely reported that Liverpool are as happy to have Sturridge remain as to accept Inter’s offer and have at this point left it up to the player to determine his future, and with each day that passes it seems likelier the striker will remain at Anfield at least until the end of the season.

That’s the foundation for whispers today that Sturridge could be in line to start against West Brom in the FA Cup on Saturday, with rumours the striker has been lobbying Jürgen Klopp for a chance to play at least once more before the transfer window shuts next week.

The logic seems clear: impress against West Brom and, just maybe, Sturridge will have proven to Klopp he still has a role to play at Liverpool. Fail to do that, on the other hand—or perhaps see his request denied—and he’ll know a move is his only option if he wants a chance at minutes.

It all remains speculative at this stage, but the announcement of the teamsheets ahead of the match on Saturday may just give us our answer when it comes to the future of Daniel Sturridge.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com