Klopp: Sturridge looked really good on Liverpool return

Daniel Sturridge “looked really good” on his return to action with Liverpool, says Jurgen Klopp, as the England international striker seeks to play his way back into favour.

As the Reds starred as an attacking unit in 2017-18, their 28-year-old striker became something of a forgotten man.

Injury problems have been an issue for Sturridge in recent times, but he was still restricted to just nine Premier League appearances for Liverpool last season.

He took in a further six top-flight outings during a loan spell at West Brom, but failed to find the target during his time at The Hawthorns.

Sturridge has, however, got back among the goals in his first pre-season outing, netting twice in a 7-0 mauling of Chester, and his manager is hoping that is a sign of things to come.

Klopp told reporters after a productive outing for his side: “I saw a lot of good things from Daniel.

“Impressed? It takes a lot for Daniel to impress me because I know about his quality.

“Very positive week and today he looked really good. We started playing football when he was involved. That's how it is.”

Sturridge’s goals were one of several bonuses for Liverpool in their first outing of the summer, with new recruits Fabinho and Naby Keita also making their respective bows.

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Klopp was pleased with the run out for his side, with a number of youngsters also getting an opportunity to impress in the senior set-up.

The German added: “Twenty-two players and nobody injured. Actually more, 44 players.

“The first half I was not happy of course, the game was not good and it looked stiff.

“To be honest, it's not that I look five hours on the line-up and think that would fit together. So they have to work together in preseason, especially in the first game.

“Yes, we were worked hard in the week. Yes, the pitch was dry. Yes, the wind makes the pitch even drier. It's not nice.

“The opponent was organised. You saw that it was difficult in the first half, we didn't play good football.

“The second half was much better - only two, three players more played together.

“It was easier for the players in the second half to show up a little bit. Naby, especially, looked pretty well. That's good signs.”

Liverpool are set to open their 2018-19 Premier League campaign at home to West Ham on August 12.