Daniel Sturridge's World Cup hopes are set to be blown apart as Jurgen Klopp prepares to keep him at Anfield for the rest of this season.

The Liverpool boss is instead ready to let fellow striker Danny Ings leave on loan, even though that means keeping a frustrated Sturridge as cover.

It is understood only an offer in the region of £30million would tempt the Reds into a U-turn despite the striker, 28, having just 18 months left on his contract.

It will take a bid of around £30m to change Liverpool's mind about keeping Sturridge (
Image:
AFP/Getty)

England boss Gareth Southgate has made it clear he will only include players in his squad who are getting regular football ahead of next summer’s tournament in Russia.

Klopp, however, is more focused on giving Ings game time to regain his sharpness.

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The German feels a loan move would give the 25-year-old former Burnley frontman a higher level of competition than Liverpool’s Under-23 squad after a long battle with injuries, and he is being eyed by West Ham and Crystal Palace.

The current situation is set to frustrate Spanish sides Valencia and Real Betis, both of whom have been tracking Sturridge ahead of a potential move in the January window.

Klopp wants Ings to regain his match sharpness out on loan — which means hanging onto Sturridge (
Image:
PA Wire)

The relationship between Sturridge and Klopp remains good.

The ex-Chelsea and Manchester City striker has kept his own counsel on the situation, declining to speak publicly about his lack of match action.

But he knows he needs to play regularly during the second half of the season if he is to have any chance of making what could be his last World Cup.

Should Liverpool’s valuation not be met, Sturridge is set to be used predominantly from the bench, as the Reds compete in the Champions League knockout phase, the FA Cup and for runners-up spot in the Premier League.

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