Date: 19th September 2018 at 10:27am
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Liverpool have “a £50m player” and “potentially a world-class striker” at their disposal in England international forward Daniel Sturridge, claims former Reds defender Stephen Warnock.

The 29-year-old, who has 26 international caps for the Three Lions, scored the Premier League club’s opening goal during Tuesday night’s thrilling 3-2 victory against Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League.

However Sturridge, who has now netted two goals in five competitive appearances in all competitions for Jurgen Klopp’s men so far this season, is yet to start for Liverpool in the Premier League so far this term.

Despite that, ex-England left-back Warnock told BBC Sport that the former Manchester City and Chelsea star has a major role to play if The Reds are to challenge on multiple fronts this campaign, with Liverpool currently joint-top of the Premier League standings after winning their opening five fixtures.

Sturridge, who was loaned out to relegated West Bromwich Albion during the second-half of the previous 2017-18 campaign, has scored an impressive 66 goals in 138 games overall for the Merseyside outfit following his arrival from Chelsea back in January 2013.

Following Tuesday’s European win against PSG, Warnock explained, “If Liverpool are going to challenge on multiple fronts this season then Daniel Sturridge is going to play a big part for them – and he showed why in their Champions League win against Paris St-Germain.

“Sturridge’s time at Liverpool has had lots of disruption from injuries, particularly under Jurgen Klopp, and there were huge questions over his future at the club last season when he went out on loan to West Brom in January.

“When you are in that situation as a player, and it looks like your days could be numbered, there is only a way back if you really want it.

“Having that desire is the big thing that Sturridge demonstrated, long before he scored the opening goal at Anfield on Tuesday.”

Warnock continued, “In pre-season, when Reds boss Jurgen Klopp wanted to see him fit and hungry, his attitude was exactly right.

“I watched him a lot and his performances were impressive too.

“That is why Klopp handed him his first start in a Reds shirt since November 2017 because, when you get Daniel fit and firing, you cannot ignore him.

“We are talking about having a £50m player at your disposal because he is potentially a world-class striker.

“The signings that Liverpool made in the summer are a big reason why I think they will believe they can go one better in the Champions League this season after finishing runners-up last time out.”

Written by Dan Church

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