Sturridge form and fitness delights Liverpool coach Klopp
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits the return to form and fitness of striker Daniel Sturridge has come as a welcome boost.
The England international scored after just two minutes of Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Newcastle on Saturday and now has 11 goals in 21 appearances during an injury-affected season, including four in his last five matches.
That leaves Sturridge just one goal behind leading scorer Philippe Coutinho, who has played 37 times this campaign.
"He is in the best shape for a few months - I don't know for how long but now [playing] 90 minutes is no real problem anymore and that's good,"Klopp told Liverpool's official website.
"You cannot see a difference between the first 60 and the last 30. For us, it's very important.
"It was a wonderful goal very early in the game. It was not a real chance to be honest but he made the best of it. It was good."
The Reds were 2-0 up against Newcastle at Anfield before being pegged back and midfielder Adam Lallana feels a physically and mentally draining couple of months have taken their toll.
"It is very frustrating after such a positive performance in the first half," said Lallana.
"I felt we took our foot off the gas a bit and we lost momentum and credit to Newcastle who probably got a deserved point.
"It wasn't for us not fighting and trying to get back in the game but there was a 15 to 20 minute period at the start of the second half and Newcastle seemed to pounce on that.
"We have set our standards high in the last few months which is why I am so disappointed for the lads.
"It is disappointing but we have a big game to look forward to now [against Villarreal in the Europa League] on Thursday."
