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Jurgen Klopp believes Daniel Sturridge will provide Liverpool with a real injection of quality in the race for Champions League qualification.

The England striker is on the brink of a comeback after nearly two months on the sidelines due to a virus and then a hip problem.

Sturridge has started just five Premier League matches during another injury-plagued season but Klopp admits his return is timely in the absence of Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson.

“I saw Daniel’s rehab training and he looked really fresh and sharp,” Klopp said.

“On Monday he was team training. It was second day recovery for all the boys and he was part of that. He looked good. He’s very optimistic about the situation.

“I said before training to Daniel that it was the perfect moment for him to be coming back. It’s good news for us, it’s not just bad news with Sadio being out.”

Even when fit, Sturridge has struggled to command a regular starting spot this season with Klopp preferring Roberto Firmino in the central striking role.

The former Chelsea’s frontman future beyond this season remains unclear but Klopp is simply focused on getting the best out of him during the final stages of the campaign.

“Managing players is always a challenge,” he added.

“My job is difficult. I can’t say all the time what players want to hear.

“But it’s not more of a challenge with Daniel than with other players. Unfortunately we couldn’t use him in this second part of the season as much as we needed. But now he’s back and everything is good for me. He will be very important.”

With only two days full training under his belt, Sturridge won’t start against Bournemouth at Anfield on Wednesday night. Fellow striker Divock Origi will be hoping to get the nod to replace the injured Mane after coming off the bench to score against Everton.

“It’s good to have Divock. The season is long,” Klopp said.

“He’s a very important option for us now.

“Now we have to use these boys and they have to perform. They’ll get all the support from my side that they need.”