A few months ago, if Daniel Sturridge had left Liverpool, not many would have batted an eyelid.

The striker dropped so far down the pecking order that midway through last season he was sent on loan to West Bromwich Albion.

The forward has scored 76 Premier League goals in his career, but in the last few campaigns, injuries have hampered him significantly.

It was widely thought that the 28-year-old's Anfield career would come to an end this summer, but it appears that manager Jurgen Klopp still has a role for Sturridge to play.

The fans' perception of the forward has changed, too, with many highly impressed by his pre-season performances.

On Sunday, Sturridge got off to an ideal start when he came on as a late substitute in the Reds' first Premier League game of the season.

[brid autoplay="true" video="278881" player="12034" title="Rafa's Pub Facts Kane's Kryptonite & London's Biggest Losers"]

With his first touch, the former Chelsea star scored Liverpool's fourth and final goal in a comfortable win over the Hammers at Anfield.

After the match, former Sky Sports presenter Andy Gray, who was sacked by the broadcaster in 2011 for making sexist remarks, attempted to dampen Sturridge's spirit.

During a taping of beIN SPORTS, the Scotsman claimed that he is not entirely convinced by the striker because he has consistently let people down.

Some Liverpool fans were not best pleased.