Jurgen Klopp has vowed to keep Daniel Sturridge in his plans for selection and insisted an FA charge has not affected his performance in training.
The Liverpool striker is being investigated by the FA for alleged betting irregularities, dating back to January this year when he left Anfield on loan. He was granted an extension on Tuesday to provide his answer to the charge but, as yet, does not have a date when he must report back.
The FA could have applied for an interim suspension order had they believed Sturridge offered a threat to the game’s integrity. The 29-year-old will be in Liverpool’s squad for today’s trip to Watford.
Sturridge has enjoyed a smooth start to the season in terms of fitness and form and Klopp said: ‘I know about the case.
‘You don’t see any influence on Daniel in training, so that’s good. I don’t know, I cannot say actually, anything about the case. It is difficult to get information about it but, in training, he is completely normal – in good shape, looks sharp, looks focused.
‘Of course it is something you do not want to be involved in. But from my point of view, and until someone tells me something different and as long as he trains well, he is 100 per cent in contention.’
Klopp, meanwhile, has expressed his sympathy for England Under 21 striker Dominic Solanke, who has not played a minute for Liverpool this season. Solanke was outstanding on international duty and scored four goals in two games against Italy and Denmark for Aidy Boothroyd’s squad.
‘At the end of his career, Dom Solanke will not really know about these two or three years,’ he said. ‘He’s only in the situation he is in because he is so good. That is why people already think about why he doesn’t play.’