Liverpool Announce Departures Of Sturridge And Moreno

Liverpool Announce Departures Of Sturridge And Moreno

By Max Wise

Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno will leave Liverpool when their contracts expire later this summer.

The pair have largely been fringe players for the newly-crowned European champions this season, and are set to move on from Anfield in search of regular first team football.

Sturridge joined Liverpool from Chelsea in January 2013 and has gone on to make 160 appearances for the Reds in all competitions, scoring 67 goals.

Sturridge was a focal point in Liverpool’s attack alongside Luis Suarez as Liverpool missed out on the Premier League title during the final few weeks of the 2013/2014 season.

The 29-year-old former Manchester City youngster has been dogged by injury problems during the latter stages of his Liverpool career, and he spent the second half of the 2017/2018 season on loan at West Bromwich Albion.

Moreno joined Liverpool from Sevilla in August 2014, making 141 appearances in all competitions but the emergence of Andy Robertson means he has had to play second fiddle to the Scotland captain.

"The most important words to say to these two remarkable players are 'thank you'," Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told the club’s official website.

“Like many players in my squad, Daniel has had to be patient and contribute when asked during games, but even this season he has played a vital role.”

"What maybe is missed on the outside of the club by many is what a great leader Daniel is in our dressing room.”

"He is smart, confident and not afraid to speak up when he thinks there is something that needs adapting to help the team. He has been great with many of the younger players also, so he has been so important to our progression here.”

"Daniel has earned the right to be considered a modern-day Liverpool great. He came to the club while we were trying to rebuild and re-establish ourselves. Some of the goals he has scored for Liverpool were so, so, so important.”

"He is one of the best finishers I have ever seen in my life. He scores goals you think could and should not be possible."

"Alberto is a person whose personality is reflected in how he plays. Full of life, full of energy, always positive. An unbelievable character who is always willing to give all of himself for the team."

"I know this season, and the end of the last, maybe the minutes on the pitch he would have wanted and deserved were not there, but his contribution did not diminish," he added.

"How he was in training kept the entire group on their toes. Alberto is world-class, and I know he will be back in the Spain national team in the not-too distant future."