Klopp: I was waiting for Sturridge question

Jurgen Klopp was surprised that it it took eight minutes of questioning before reporters asked him about Daniel Sturridge in his press conference ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League semi-final second leg.

England striker Sturridge was on the bench for the entirety of the first leg against Villarreal but played 90 minutes (poorly) against Swansea on Sunday.

Asked whether he could start at Anfield in a match Liverpool are losing 1-0, Klopp said: “I was waiting for this question. He could be, 100%, but I’ve made no decision yet about the line-up.”

Klopp downplayed the importance of the Spanish side’s lead going into the second leg, saying: “It’s a normal result. In Europe you can lose away.

“We have thought a lot about our game. We know their strength. Our skills, quality, passion, readiness together with the atmosphere at Anfield, that’s what I’m looking for.

“We know we have 90-something minutes. It’s not about being patient, it’s about being patient with a clear direction.

“It’s only playing football. Football is a fair game. If we play our best then we can go to the final.

“When I think about my team I never have a limit where it could go. I don’t know how far we are. I’m not interested.

“The players have given me a lot of positive signs about their quality. We don’t have to think too much. We are ready. All we did is to be perfectly prepared for a game like this tomorrow.”