Daniel Sturridge has been omitted from the Liverpool squad for their Premier League clash against Swansea on Monday night, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The newspaper claim that the England international, 28, is not part of the travelling party for the Liberty Stadium showdown as speculation swirls around his future.
The Liverpool Echo report that the Merseyside giants are weighing up loan offers for Sturridge, who wants to leave this month in search of regular football.
It is said that he is not in the matchday 18 to face the struggling Swans as Liverpool aim to build upon their excellent recent form.
Mohamed Salah eased any doubts about his participation against Swansea by taking part in a light training session on Monday morning in south Wales, while Virgil van Dijk is in line to make his Premier League debut for the Reds.
Sturridge has not played for Liverpool since the 7-0 Champions League victory over Spartak Moscow on December 6 but he is fully fit after suffering injury and illness.
OPINION
It is telling that Sturridge has been left out of the squad due to doubts about his future at the club, but it does not mean that he will head out of Anfield by the 31 January cut-off. Far from it. There are likely to be plenty of twists and turns as the Merseysiders hold talks over a loan exit for the striker. However, it appears that Sturridge’s head isn’t right to take part against Swansea, which is a shame for Liverpool as his presence on the bench would be a major weapon if they struggle to break down a team fighting for their Premier League life. A fit and motivated Sturridge would enhance any squad in Europe.