Klopp on how Sturridge’s “timing is perfect” for Liverpool

Jürgen Klopp has had his say on the timing and nature of Daniel Sturridge’s return to form after the striker scored a sumptuous goal from 25 yards out to earn Liverpool a point against Chelsea at the weekend.

Sturridge’s strike, which came in the 89th minute, helped preserve the Reds’ unbeaten start to the season in the Premier League. It was Sturridge’s second glorious goal in a week for Liverpool, and Klopp was understandably delighted at his forward’s contributions.

“Thank God he is here,” Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com. “It would be really unlucky for both sides if he was not; he is in the best shape since I’ve known him, since we’ve worked together. Before that, he was in fantastic shape.

“He was always a bit unlucky with injuries and stuff like that; that’s how it is, timing in life is pretty important. Now, the timing is perfect. We need him desperately and he is fit. He is so fit – the fittest Daniel I have known. So, all good.”

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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea watches Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge goal go in during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on September 29, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Reuters/John Sibley)

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Klopp was pleased with Liverpool’s overall team performance against Chelsea, despite his side failing to take a number of chances against the London-based club.

“The boys played a fantastic game, I really liked it,” he said.

“To work hard and be absolutely lively in the highest energy in all these defending moments, and then when you have the ball to play around, create gaps, play through the lines and over the lines, come into the box, have the situations, make cut-backs, be there for finishing, that’s great. The only problem is we didn’t finish.

“But that’s all and we will finish again, there’s no doubt about that. We are a good football team and I’m really happy we proved that again. And we got a point in a very difficult game against a good side.”

The Liverpool manager was also full of praise for the new man between the sticks, Alisson Becker, who made a number of top-quality saves and interceptions to deny Chelsea’s attackers and consequently help Liverpool to their much-deserved point at Stamford Bridge.

“It was good, it helps massively,” Klopp said of Alisson’s performance.

“These set-pieces at the end of the game are quite annoying and when they come in, you think, ‘Woah, another corner.’ Then when you see the goalkeeper flying in between a lot of players in blue shirts and using his gloves and fists, it’s really cool. So I’m happy about that.”

Klopp will hope to see his side put in another top Champions League performance on Wednesday night when Liverpool take on Napoli away.

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Source: anfieldhq.com