JURGEN KLOPP has told Daniel Sturridge he can leave next month.
Liverpool boss Klopp is planning the rest of the season without the England striker.
And Sturridge, 28, is ready to move to save his World Cup hopes after struggling for regular games this season.
Klopp has given him only five starts in the Premier League — and a return of three goals in all competitions has put his Three Lions place under threat.
The likes of Jamie Vardy and Tammy Abraham are ahead of him in the pecking order to support Tottenham ace Harry Kane.
Sturridge has not played since coming on as a late sub in the 7-0 win over Spartak Moscow 11 days ago. And he has a hamstring injury which makes him a doubt for today’s game at Bournemouth.
Sturridge was a guaranteed starter under previous Kop boss Brendan Rodgers but has fallen out of favour under Klopp. Former Chelsea and Manchester City star Sturridge could now look at a loan move abroad in the second half of the season, with Liverpool looking to get his £125,000-a-week wages covered.
And Klopp is anticipating another tough test when they take on the Cherries. Just four days on from being held to a 0-0 draw at Anfield by West Brom, the Reds face a tricky Premier League trip to the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth — who are hovering above the drop zone — produced a commendable performance on Wednesday as they were beaten 1-0 at Manchester United.
Klopp said: “I saw Bournemouth playing at United and could not see the biggest difference to our game against West Brom.
“Yes, of course Bournemouth lost — but they had a proper performance there. It was really good how they played. “A clear structure, good defending and a good football-playing team.
“I saw a few games of Bournemouth this year and they didn’t get the points they deserved, they maybe were unlucky in a few moments.
“They need points and it will be a tough game for sure. They have all my respect, really.
“They do a brilliant job there and Eddie Howe is a really fantastic manager. It will be difficult, 100 per cent.”
Incredibly, Liverpool lost 4-3 away against the Cherries last season after being 3-1 up. Asked about his memories of the fixture, Klopp said: “It was a very, very good game for us — until a specific moment.
“It was like we closed the game too early in our mind, Bournemouth came back and it was a fantastic finish by them.
“We did not do well in the decisive part of the game. But I don’t think too often about this game.
“Just like I don’t think too often about the Norwich game when we came back to win 5-4, which was pretty much the other way around.
“It is part of history, positive history for Bournemouth and not too positive for us.” Liverpool, once again in the pack chasing a Champions League spot, are set to have keeper Simon Mignolet back in their starting XI today — and Adam Lallana could also be involved.
Mignolet has recovered from a swollen ankle, while England midfielder Lallana — who has made only one appearance this term after suffering a thigh injury in pre-season — should also be ready for the squad.
Joe Gomez, James Milner and Andrew Robertson are expected to be fit after knocks.
But Alberto Moreno, Joel Matip and Nathaniel Clyne are out. Emre Can serves a one-match suspension.
From The Sun
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