Jurgen Klopp has dealt West Ham a blow in their pursuit of Daniel Sturridge after insisting Liverpool will not be selling the striker in January.
Sturridge, 27, has been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield after dropping down the pecking order under Klopp since he replaced Brendan Rodgers in October 2015.
The England international, who has been ruled out of their trip to Bournemouth at the weekend through injury, is reportedly wanted by West Ham as they look to sign a goalscoring striker but Slaven Bilic’s side may now be forced to look at alternative targets.
“The funny thing is you create stories that aren’t stories, and then you ask me about the stories that aren’t stories,” Sky Sports quote Klopp as saying in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“There is absolutely no idea to sell anybody from the first-team squad. It wouldn’t make sense. Unfortunately, Daniel is not in training. That’s what I’m most concerned about, more than transfer rumours, I’m prepared for January. What you ask me will be funny I’m sure."
Roberto Firmino is currently ahead of Sturridge in the pecking order for the one spot up front, with the Brazilian's work rate making him far more important to Klopp's style of play than the former Chelsea striker.
Since Klopp has been at Liverpool they have fared much better in the league without Sturridge in the starting XI (54.8% win rate) win ratio compared to their success when he has started (38.5%).
For more stats on Daniel Sturridge, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
