Jurgen Klopp reveals reasoning behind Daniel Sturridge substitution during Liverpool's draw with Tottenham

Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Daniel Sturridge’s substitution during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur was down to tactical reasons rather than the striker’s fitness.

Sturridge, who has missed much of the current campaign through injury, has not completed 90 minutes in a league match since Klopp’s appointment in October.

The England international was visibly disappointed when he made way for Divock Origi but Klopp was not concerned by his player’s unhappy demeanour.

“I think that’s completely normal, especially with the quality of Daniel Sturridge,” he said.

“He has to think ‘leave me on the pitch and I can decide the game’. That’s true, but in this moment we need other help in the game.

“We needed ways behind the line. We needed Divock’s physical strength so I changed,” Klopp added.

“I could have changed Adam Lallana and gone with two strikers. But in my opinion, and only my opinion counts, it didn’t make sense so that’s it.

Sturridge acknowledged Klopp as he left the field in the 72nd minute, the longest he has lasted in a Premier League fixture since recovering from a hamstring injury in mid-February.

“I saw that he was not happy because I’m not blind. But that’s not a problem because if he came off and (celebrated) something would be really wrong.

“You cannot play football with this confidence when you are like we are. You have to think ‘yes, I’m the best’. I like this – as long as he doesn’t come off the pitch and do something really strange like kicking me from behind.”