West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has made his clearest indication yet that he could try to sign Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge in January.

Sturridge is yet to score for Liverpool in the Premier League this season, with West Ham continually reported to be interested in bringing him to the London Stadium.

And on Sunday, ahead of his side’s 2-2 draw at Anfield, Bilic made clear his admiration of the England international. “He's one of the biggest talents, he's a great player,” Bilic said. “The talent is there, the touch, the finishing, everything is great.

“The only thing that has stopped him being a regular for club and country are the injuries.

“He’s just a player that has been linked with us, basically, and we’ve been linked with almost every player.

“We’re always there in contention. Most of the time it’s absolutely not true, 95 per cent of the time. But you’re asking me about Sturridge and I have no problem about that.”

Klopp also insisted Liverpool’s academy youngsters Ben Woodburn, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ovie Ejaria are proof younger players do not need to go out on loan to succeed at senior level. All three have impressed since being given their first-team debuts.

“The players were already there and I had nothing to do with the development of Ben, Trent or Ovie,” Klopp said.

“I don’t think 40 or 50 minutes of football or whatever are enough to get the credit for what the players have done.

“Ovie is maybe a bit different because we saw him and liked him and decided to push him a little bit more. But there was no chance to oversee Trent and Ben.

Trent Alexander-Arnold hugs goalscorer Ben Woodburn as the pair star in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Leeds (Getty)

“If they are very young then clubs in the past have sent them on loan and I don’t think it is the perfect situation.

“It’s much better that we can work with them together on football at the highest level.”

Meanwhile, former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland revealed he recommended Sunderland No1 Jordan Pickford to the club.

Pickford, 22, has been one of the standout goalkeepers in the league this season. Kirkland worked with him during a loan spell at Preston North End last season and revealed he told his former club of his talents.

The ex-Reds man told BT Sport: “I told Liverpool to sign him last summer. He will have all of the top clubs looking at him - not just in England, but in Europe as well.

“He definitely won’t be there (at Sunderland) next summer. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is not there come January."