Liverpool transfer news and rumours: Jürgen Klopp to block West Ham move for Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool are set to block any move by West Ham United to sign Daniel Sturridge next month.

Sturridge is understood to be top of West Ham’s list of targets when the January transfer window opens, with the club ready to make a big-name signing to rescue what has been a poor season so far.

The England forward has been admired by the Hammers for some time, and his situation on Merseyside lends credence to the suggestion he could seek a move away from Liverpool.

He has made just four starts in the Premier League so far this season and, incredibly, has not scored a single league goal, with only four strikes in the EFL Cup.

However, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is ready to block any move to sign Sturridge, even on loan, as he prepares to cope with a significantly weakened squad in the new year.

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Sadio Mane will be at the African Cup of Nations, while Danny Ings is sidelined long-term, Philippe Coutinho is likely to still be out and Adam Lallana only just returning after injury.

That means Sturridge is likely, finally, to get his chance under Klopp this season.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are reported to have missed out on Wales Under-19 sensation Ethan Ampadu.

The Liverpool Echo says the 16-year-old midfielder who plays for Exeter is admired at Anfield but has opted to stay with his current club, with Liverpool now resigned to missing out on him.

The paper adds that Arsenal are now favourites to sign Ampadu, given that his father worked at their academy, while Chelsea and Manchester United are also interested in the teenager.

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Southampton manager Claude Puel has dismissed reports Virgil van Dijk could move to Liverpool in January, calling it ‘speculation and rumour’. Puel said: “It is just speculation, and I cannot participate with speculation. It is just rumour and it is not important for me.”