Klopp still to decide whether Sturridge will start

Jurgen Klopp: Reassures Daniel Sturridge

Jurgen Klopp: Hasn't picked Sturridge regularly this season

Jurgen Klopp says Daniel Sturridge will “absolutely be involved” against Villarreal, but has not decided whether the striker will start at Anfield.

Liverpool face the La Liga side on Thursday night looking to overturn a 1-0 first-leg defeat in their semi-final second leg as they look to reach their first European final since 2007.

And Klopp has admitted he has not yet decided whether Sturridge, who was an unused sub in the first leg last week, will play against the Yellow Submarine.

The striker failed to acknowledge Liverpool supporters following a poor showing against Swansea on Sunday and his future at the club has been the subject of recent speculation.

The 26-year-old forward has started just four of the last eight games and last week the England man told Klopp that he wanted to start more matches.

When asked if Sturridge would start at Anfield, Klopp said: “I was waiting for this question. He could be, 100 per cent, but I’ve made no decision yet about the line-up.

“In all these thoughts, Daniel Sturridge is absolutely involved.”

On the match itself, Klopp urged his side to be “patient with a clear direction”.

A last-gasp strike from Adrian Lopez at the Estadio El Madrigal last Thursday handed Villarreal a slender advantage.

“It’s a normal result. In Europe, you can lose away,” added Klopp. “We have thought a lot about our game. We know their strength. Our skills, quality, passion, readiness together with the atmosphere at Anfield, that’s what I’m looking for.

“We know we have 90-something minutes. It’s not about being patient, it’s about being patient with a clear direction.

“We have to know about the game, not with pressure, only with joy. It’s only playing football. Football is a fair game. If we play our best then we can go to the final.”