Jurgen Klopp insists he can't make Daniel Sturridge any guarantees about playing time as the Liverpool striker eyes a return to action.

The England international's future at the club remains uncertain ahead of Wednesday's transfer deadline.

Sturridge has been pressing for a move this month in search of more regular action to bolster his World Cup hopes, but has been stalling over a loan switch to Inter Milan.

The 28-year-old frontman hasn't featured for the Reds since early December due to illness and injury and has found himself behind 17-goal Roberto Firmino in the pecking order this season.

Klopp is considering recalling him to the squad for Saturday's FA Cup tie with West Brom at Anfield but there are no pledges beyond that.

“I have never in my life promised a player game time for the next few months," Klopp said.

"It is not possible. We have mentioned all the things like it was so far.

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“When Daniel is fit, training, in shape, he is still an outstanding striker - there is no doubt about that. But he did not play the last few weeks for different reasons.

“Of course one of them was Roberto Firmino's performance and Dom Solanke's development.

"And Daniel being in and out of training. In general more in than out, but at times when he was in he was a little unlucky with the games."

With Liverpool unlikely to replace Philippe Coutinho in the current window, off-loading Sturridge would be controversial but Klopp refused to rule that out.

“No matter which direction you come, I cannot give an answer on that," he said.

"It is an open thing. There are a lot of rumours around and at this moment there is nothing to say about it. When we have something to say about it we will say something, but so far we have needed him and we will see what happens in the next few days."

Asked if only having Danny Ings and Dominic Solanke as back-up to Firmino would leave Liverpool light up front, Klopp added: "If we make the decision in this direction or this direction then you will see if I thought we would be too short or not!

“Whatever I could say would only kill your stories or give you a story for one time and then it's done. Write about it whatever you want. I would say wait a little bit."

Ings is hoping to be handed his first start under Klopp in Saturday's fourth round tie against Alan Pardew's side.

Klopp says the FA Cup is an important competition for Liverpool

The former Burnley striker's career was derailed by two serious knee injuries but he has impressed Klopp with his four outings as a substitute this term.

"I am really, really happy with him," Klopp said.

"Things were tough for Danny because of the injuries. There were rumours he maybe wanted to go on loan. At the beginning of pre-season he struggled again with injury a little bit.

“He is exactly the player again that Liverpool signed a few years ago, and that is good for me to see. When he came back he was not the same 100%, but now he is back. That is good news for him, important for his career and really important news for him and his family and for us as well.

(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire.)

“Now he is here, and the only problem has been he has not had a lot of rhythm, not played many games.

"Yes, he has played under-23 games but they are not the same. They are important at the beginning, but they are different. He starts losing of course a little bit of his patience, good as well. He's showing up in training constantly and when he came on against Swansea he had some good moments so it was absolutely okay."

With Ragnar Klavan and Adam Lallana ruled out and James Milner hampered by a dead leg, Klopp's options have been depleted ahead of the visit of the Baggies. Captain Jordan Henderson and left-back Alberto Moreno are targeting a comeback after injury.

"Hendo has trained for eight or nine days already," Klopp added.

"He is back and if he plays this game it would be early. Too early? Not sure. We will see who else is fit. Huddersfield is coming up immediately, after that Tottenham - probably then Hendo and Alberto would be 100%."