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Jurgen Klopp believes timing could be everything for Daniel Sturridge's first-team chances – but the Liverpool striker must continue his path to long-term fitness to capitalise upon it.

The 27-year-old started, and scored, against Sunderland last week, before an impressive cameo in the FA Cup stalemate against Plymouth Argyle.

The draw in Sunderland represented only his sixth start of the season, and his first since the EFL Cup win against Tottenham in October.

The Reds now face Southampton in the semi-final of that competition, with the England international in contention to be named in the first 11.

With Sadio Mane now with Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations, and Philippe Coutinho only just returning for the game at St Mary's, Sturridge could find himself thrust into the team as Klopp seeks to retain his side's attacking threat.

Sturridge already has four goals in this competition so far – with doubles against Burton and Spurs – and also scored two against the Saints at the quarter-final stage of the League Cup last season.

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Klopp believes Sturridge could be finding form and fitness at just the right time for him and Liverpool, but he must still prove his availability after another campaign interrupted by injury.

“It would be fantastic, of course, and sometimes you need to feel lucky with timing,” Klopp said. “That's how it is. Sadio is away, Philippe is on the way back and Daniel is already back. That helps, for sure, and I hope it stays like this for him.

“I think it depends. Listen, we have spoken a lot of times about this. Does he stay fit? If Daniel is fit are there any arguments here ever about his quality? No.

“We had the time when he was already fit and he didn’t start because there was a difference between being fit and match fit and all that stuff.

“But it is a big step in the right direction. If he stays on this fitness level and improving as he always should, that is perfect – perfect news for him and for us that he can perform. It would be cool if we could speak like this for the next few weeks and months.”

Sturridge has made 15 appearances in total so far in 2016/17, but saw his season halted with an injury sustained in November.

His last game before his month-long lay-off to the calf injury was, ironically, in the goalless draw at Southampton in the Premier League.

He made a big impact off the bench in that game, almost teeing up Nathaniel Clyne for a late winner, and then had a similar impact upon his return in the Merseyside derby just before Christmas; it was his shot that rebounded off the post to allow Mane a tap-in.

But although he has looked sharp since his return, he hobbled off in the draw at Sunderland, albeit he returned to action a week later against Plymouth.

His lack of game time under Klopp has seen speculation mount on his future at Anfield, and although Klopp remains a big admirer of his talent, he admits such talk will only subside if he continues to prove his fitness for the Reds.

“How good you can be depends on a lot of things,” Klopp added. “His talent and skill there is absolutely no doubt about. Cleverness...everything you need on the pitch is absolutely outstanding.

“But he has not been often enough fit. That is how it is. So that is another important part. But that is all.

“If he stays fit, there is the whole thing and we don’t talk about other clubs, another level, things like this. You judge him. We don’t have to think about it because we are exactly in the middle of the season.

“So, from my point of view, until now – even when he didn’t score – he made really good performances. Even when he didn’t score he was so important in a lot of these games.

“He fits really well in our style of play. That is good for him, good for us.

"Nobody in the team, nobody in the squad is in doubt about him being a wonderful player. No doubt.”