Jurgen Klopp has defended Daniel Sturridge after the Liverpool striker failed to acknowledge Liverpool's travelling support at Swansea on Sunday afternoon.
Liverpool were beaten 3-1 with Sturridge completing the entire 90 minutes for just the sixth time this season and the English international did not appear happy with either his or Liverpool's performance on a wet and gloomy day in Wales. Sturridge disappeared down the tunnel straight after the game but Klopp has defended his player's actions.
The German coach said, "He was not ignoring the fans, I went in immediately also.
"You want to go home, rest and recover after a game like that. It is my fault if someone does not say thank you, it is down to me.
Sturridge was omitted from Klopp's side as they fell 1-0 to Villarreal in Spain last Thursday night in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final. Liverpool welcome the Spanish side to Anfield this coming Thursday for the return leg.
Sturridge's injury history combined with the fact that he completed a tough 90 minutes on Sunday could mean Klopp is not considering him for the semi-final second leg but Klopp says the Swansea game has no bearing on who will play on Thursday night.
"I spoke to him at half-time and he said he wanted to play and it was no problem. We have a few days. I am happy. I do not know who will play against Villarreal."
Klopp defended his decision to drop Sturridge for the first leg and said he would make the same move again, “The next question is: Would I do it again? Yes. Then it is finished and I don’t have to think about it again.
“That is my life — making decisions and in the end accepting the result.
“With Daniel in particular it is not about how it is always, it was a decision for this line-up. That is very important. It was not against Daniel."
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