The 26-year-old has cooled speculation over his future, and admitted he has been astonished and hurt by claims he willingly refused to play for the RedsDaniel Sturridge has rejected rumours suggesting he wants out of Liverpool by reaffirming his commitment to helping the club attain success.
At the start of February, a selection of newspapers stated the England international was ready to quit Anfield after being disillusioned by how his injury problems were being portrayed.
Manager Jurgen Klopp was quick to kill those assertions by insisting there was simply “no story,” and Sturridge supported that when he tackled the subject of his future for the first time on Wednesday afternoon.
Asked about those reports as well as the multiple setbacks that have seen him make just nine appearances this season, the 26-year-old said: “It’s important to worry about the present. It’s been a difficult time with injuries, but that’s part of football.
“Now I’m looking forward to the future - of course with Liverpool. There’s not less much to worry about or stress over in the situation and I’m pretty relaxed. I’ve been relaxed this whole time and I’m happy here.”
Sturridge, however, admitted he has been astonished by some of the talk surrounding his injury-riddled campaign, with one theory suggesting he has been fit, but unwilling to feature due to his faith.
Addressing such accusations, he said: “It’s surprising to be honest. I didn’t know religion had anything to do with football.
“To say a player doesn’t want to play, that’s the biggest disrespect to any individual footballer to be honest. It’s astonishing and disappointing to hear that from whoever is saying it.
“But that’s football and of course, people are entitled to their opinions, but I don’t think anybody understands how much it means to me to play football. I’ll continue to focus to do my best and playing for Liverpool, which is all that matters.
“I’m very ambitious, very determined to help Liverpool achieve success and I’m fully focused.
“Of course, I want to be on the pitch playing every game just as every footballer wants to, and it hurts to not be able to play. I’d be lying if I said otherwise.
“It’s important to be strong in these situations and it’s important to understand that I’m not somebody who is at the house chilling, laughing and joking and going out with my friends and living life to the fullest when I’m not playing.
“I’m at home not enjoying life, not happy, not stress-free. I’m at home devastated, sitting in the stands devastated watching my teammates play. It hurts to hear what people have said second-hand, third-hand and a lot of it isn’t the truth.
“All I want to do is play football and help this team achieve success and that’s what is important to me.”
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