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There was a time when Jurgen Klopp would get increasingly agitated at the persistent questioning about Daniel Sturridge’s well-being.

A press conference at Melwood would rarely pass without Klopp being asked for a fitness bulletin on the Liverpool striker.

Sturridge was regarded as being such a vital cog in the wheel that supporters waited with bated breath in the hope that he had come through the week unscathed and was available for duty.

At Melwood on Friday afternoon Klopp answered an array of questions over nearly 25 minutes looking ahead to Monday night’s crunch showdown with Manchester United at Anfield.

Sturridge’s name didn’t crop up once.

It’s a sign of the times that the only striker Klopp was asked about is the man who has led the line so impressively for the Reds so far this season. The praise for Roberto Firmino, the Reds’ joint top scorer with four goals, was rightly gushing.

“What Roberto shows is a mixture of talent and attitude,” Klopp said.

“He really loves what he’s doing. He’s a really good team-mate for the other guys as he loves working for them.

“He’s how an offensive player should be - kind of selfish but it’s not too important for him if he scores or not. If he gets an assist it’s all good. That makes him a nice team-mate. For me it’s a big pleasure to work with him.”

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The fact that Liverpool are no longer so dependent on Sturridge is a positive. You can’t build a team around someone who has missed as much football as he has over the past two-and-a-half years.

Now the Reds have an array of match-winners. They are stronger for it and more difficult to stop.

But there is also no doubt about Sturridge’s quality. He’s no busted flush. He’s still one of the most gifted attackers in the Premier League.

However, the challenge facing him is to prove to Klopp that he can adapt and do the kind of work off the ball that so endears Firmino to his manager. If he can’t then he simply won’t command a start in Liverpool’s strongest XI.

There could well be room for both Sturridge and Firmino in the side to face United on Monday. If Lallana misses out then Philippe Coutinho is likely to start in the central attacking midfield role he occupied in the second half against Swansea. That would create space for Sturridge to play in the front three with Firmino and Sadio Mane.

It would be Sturridge’s 100th appearance for the club. It was against United that he marked his league debut for the Reds with a goal in January 2013 and the hope is that against their arch rivals he will kick-start things once again.

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The 27-year-old hasn’t scored in the Premier League since April. This term he has struggled to get going.

Having sat out the win at Arsenal due to a hip injury, he struggled badly at Burnley. After coming off the bench to score twice at Burton in the League Cup, he voiced his frustration about being asked to play on the right.

At Tottenham the cameras picked up on his displeasure at Divock Origi being brought on ahead of him. In the wins over Leicester and Chelsea he made telling contributions. In fact his clever movement and unselfish team play in the rout of the champions was exactly what Klopp had demanded from him.

But more discomfort in his hip and more missed training sessions meant he was back among the subs against Hull and he came off the bench again at Swansea. From putting England on course for victory over Malta at Wembley with a classy header last weekend, he looked sluggish and off the pace against Slovenia in midweek.

That’s been Sturridge’s season so far - horribly stop-start, no real momentum.

With Origi and a resurgent Danny Ings also challenging for attacking roles, he needs to start delivering.

Sturridge’s 55-goal haul in 99 matches gives him a strikerate few of Anfield’s true greats can match but doubts about his long-term prospects at the club persist.

Liverpool are going places under Klopp. Sturridge needs to take action to avoid being left behind.