Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge says that although he is “gutted” to have missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City on the last day of the season he and his team are ready to challenge once again next term.

The Reds rose from a seventh place finish in 2012/13 to take the race for English football’s top prize to the final game of the campaign, in what was an astonishing 10 months on Merseyside.

Liverpool did all they could in fixture 38 by beating Newcastle at home, yet the scoreline they craved from West Ham at City – a win – did not come.

As a result the Reds are still waiting for a first title in 24 years – and a first in the Premier League era – but Sturridge says that despite the felling of anguish, the club are ready to bounce back and go again after a fine season:

“I know we will be contenders again next season,” he is quoted by the Liverpool Echo.

“We will take the positives from this season and learn from the negatives.

“Next season will be a big year for us and we’re looking forward to that already.

“I think this squad is unbelievable. We’ve done really well and I fully expect us to push on again next season.

“This experience will stand us in good stead for next season. I believe we will challenge. I am sure the manager will buy players who he believes can push us on to the next level.

“With whoever comes in together with the great players we already have here, I am sure we will do well next season.”

Sturridge himself took his league goals tally to 21 with an effort against Newcastle, and will feature for England at the World Cup this summer.

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