Daniel Sturridge fires back at 'disrespectful' fans who claim he lacks the heart to play for Liverpool

Daniel Sturridge has rounded on fans who say he doesn’t have the heart to play for Liverpool. The striker finally broke his silence yesterday on the rumours surrounding his injury nightmare, as he delivered a stinging rebuke to suggestions he wants to quit. 

And in front of manager Jurgen Klopp, he pledged his future to the club despite social media attacks that have questioned his commitment.

Sturridge said:

 “To say a player doesn’t want to play? That is the biggest disrespect ever you could say to any footballer. I think it is astonishing, it’s disappointing from whoever was saying it.

“It’s football and people are entitled to their opinions. But all I can say is that I don’t think ­anyone will understand how much it means to me to play football.

“It’s been a difficult time being injured, but now I’m looking forward to the future - of course with Liverpool.

“There’s not much to worry or stress about the situation, I have been pretty relaxed, the whole time, and I’m relaxed here. I am happy here.

“You know I’m very ambitious, very determined to help Liverpool have some success, and I am totally focused on that aim.”

Klopp sat by the striker during the press conference, silently nodding in agreement as his biggest star said he was committed to winning trophies at Anfield.

And Klopp said: “I have a hungry striker back. I agree with everything he said. It was not my plan for him to say that.

“It was interesting to hear from him. A few things are more clear now than before. It is important we don’t think about the wrong things. I heard from him, not from second or third hand.