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Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool face Euro exit if he makes this decision, says Charlie Nicholas
LIVERPOOL won’t make the Europa League final if they don’t start Daniel Sturridge.
Daniel Sturridge in action against Swansea last weekend
The striker started last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Swansea, but Jurgen Klopp fielded him in a side containing predominantly academy graduates.
Klopp’s men will have to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Villarreal tomorrow evening (8:05pm), to reach the final.
And Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas thinks Sturridge simply has to start if Liverpool are to find a way past their Spanish opponents.
“Liverpool have lost their way over the last few games and I thought it was another missed opportunity with Jurgen Klopp not playing a striker in Villarreal,” Nicholas said.
“The situation with Daniel Sturridge is an odd one, not picking him in the big game then throwing him in with the kids on Sunday.
“It's like he's purposely trying to annoy him.
Daniel Sturridge - Spotlight On
“Villarreal are clever and tricky and they'll be looking to pick Liverpool off on the counter-attack with Cedric Bakambu's pace, especially with Kolo Toure in there in Mamadou Sakho's absence.
“I think if Klopp plays Sturridge then I think they'll go through but I think he might try to be a bit too clever again and leave him to come off the bench.”
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