Daniel Sturridge is likely to be omitted from Liverpool’s squad for Friday’s clash with Southampton after being absent from training recently, according to The Telegraph.
The national newspaper claim that the attacker, who earns £130,000-a-week (Source: Spotrac), has missed several training sessions at Melwood in the build up to the game with the Saints due to having to attend a personal hearing relating to the FA charging him with breaking betting rules.
The Telegraph report that an independent commission has been hearing the case this week and are expected to reach a ruling by the end of the month.
OPINION
It makes sense that Sturridge won’t make the squad to face the Saints as after having his preparation disrupted, it’s not worth taking the risk. The 29-year-old forward didn’t make the bench for the match with Tottenham last weekend and Jurgen Klopp proved their side can cope without having the experienced attacker to call upon. Hopefully the allegations about Sturridge breaking betting rules are all resolved soon, as clearly the case is providing an annoying distraction for him. As the Telegraph’s report states the 29-year-old has always protested his innocence regarding the FA charge and if he does end up being cleared of all wrong-doing, he is no doubt still going to be frustrated at how the allegations have caused an avoidable issue for him this season. Sturridge hasn’t been featuring much as of late but earlier in the campaign he showed glimpses that he could be a player worthy of keeping at Anfield beyond this season. However that hasn’t been the case in recent weeks and with his current contract expiring at the end of this season, it’s hard to see him being at the club much longer.
