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The Liverpool Echo has named striker Daniel Sturridge on their list of players set to leave Liverpool this summer, and his exit has been a long time coming.

What's the word, then?

Well, the 29-year-old is out of contract this summer and as a result makes the Liverpool Echo's list of likely player departures, given there has been no talk of discussions between the two parties over a new deal.

As well as Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah, the England international looks to be behind Divock Origi in Jurgen Klopp's centre-forward pecking order if recent months are anything to go by, while the Liverpool Echo report Rhian Brewster could compete as well next term following long-term injury.

That would suggest Klopp has made his mind up that the former Chelsea and Manchester City man isn't good enough to contribute from next season onwards and as a result won't remain on Merseyside.

That is fair enough even if he has scored a couple of important goals for the Premier League title hopefuls this term.

Exit would be a long time coming

It certainly would be.

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As the Liverpool Echo report, Sturridge looked to be surplus to requirements last summer – and arguably the one previous too – following a loan spell with West Bromwich Albion, but he managed to force his way back into the German’s plans.

However, only 25 appearances in all competitions totalling 728 minutes have followed, with the 5 ft 10 attacker playing the most bit-part of roles.

It would be a significant call by Klopp to let a player who has been a proven goalscorer in the past go, but in another way he will know that he needs to start looking to the future – Sturridge clearly has no part to play in that.