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Liverpool transfer news: Jurgen Klopp issues Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi challenge
JURGEN KLOPP has laid down the gauntlet to Liverpool strikers Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi to impress him in pre-season and earn a spot in his first-team squad.
Both Sturridge and Origi’s futures at the club are uncertain with Dominic Solanke having been the main back-up to undisputed first-choice frontman Roberto Firmino last term.
Origi spent the year on loan at Bundesliga club Wolfsburg where he endured a mixed spell, operating under three managers and spending spells shunted out to the wing.
Sturridge featured sporadically for the Reds in the first half of the campaign before moving to West Brom in January - albeit making just six appearances due to injuries.
But with it looking likely the England international would be moved on this summer, his brace against Chester last weekend - alongside a sharp display - offered up the possibility of another year at Anfield.
Origi, too, has made no secret of his desire to regain a place under Klopp having been linked with a permanent departure after dropping down the pecking order.
And the German manager has offered it up to both forwards to make the most of pre-season after they started up top together in a 3-2 win at Tranmere Rovers last night.
“How it is for all of them,” Klopp said when asked specifically about the situations for Sturridge and Origi.
“They have all the quality, you can see that, you saw it four or five days ago that they are all really good football players, but it’s not to show and we have our ideas.
“The boys, we need them. We play the games, we have the training sessions, they are nice fellas so it’s nice to have them around and then let’s see how it fits at the end.
“But it’s all about the boys, my door is that wide open so why should I make a decision today?
“I watch the games, I lead the sessions and then I make a decision at a specific point, but that’s not today and it’s not next week so we have still time.
“Everybody has a place [here]. I would be really crazy if I would not give these boys a chance.
“They are fantastic players, they’ve played fantastic games, so we will see what happens.”
Liverpool’s next friendly sees them face Bury this Saturday (3pm).