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Sturridge still has to prove fitness, admits Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is still not convinced striker Daniel Sturridge can last a "high intensity" 90 minutes despite the forward enjoying a rebirth on Merseyside.

The 29-year-old's Reds career looked decidedly bleak after he was loaned to West Brom last season following years of injury problems since Klopp's appointment.

But having enjoyed a full pre-season, Sturridge is back in the reckoning and has already netted four goals in seven appearances this term.

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The most significant contribution of his comeback came during his fifth Premier League substitute appearance of the season at Chelsea, where an 89th minute equaliser secured a 1-1 draw for Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Klopp has used Sturridge sparingly and is not yet satisfied he can last the pace for an entire game.

“That's the target," Klopp told the media after the stalemate. "He played fantastically against PSG. That role, exactly that. 

"High intensity for 60 or 70 minutes and probably could have played longer, but we had Bobby then.

“It must always be the target of a player to play with the highest intensity over 95 minutes. 

"I don't know (if he can do it) because we haven't tried it yet. He 100% understands the need to do that.

“He doesn't want us to change our style for him. He plays exactly how we want him. He loves the position. 

"He is that kind of nine-and-a-half, coming back into position, he can be a 10 and play between the lines and play the pass, like he was when he scored the goal."

Sturridge did play the full 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup defeat to Chelsea last week but is yet to be trusted to last the duration in the Premier League or Champions League.

The England international is likely to start the trip to Napoli in mid-week having begun the win over Paris Saint-Germain in Liverpool's opening group game.

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