Daniel Sturridge is intent on reigniting his career after enduring another stuttering season with injury problems.
The striker scored twice on Saturday as Liverpool fired seven past non-league Chester in an emphatic start to their pre-season preparations.
Sturridge produced a lively display after being introduced as one of 11 changes made at half-time, teasing both his instinctive eye for of goal and notion of unpredictability.
His first goal effort arrived in the 57th minute when he pounced on a defensive mistake forced by Naby Keita before finding the far corner in expert fashion.
He rounded off Liverpool’s win two minutes from time with a crisp curling effort into the bottom corner from 25-year-yards out.
The Englishman has since taken to social media to set his sights on a fresh start after his troublesome time with injuries in recent years.
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Sturridge will be keen to capitalise on the absence of Liverpool’s front three in the early stages of pre-season as he looks to impress Jurgen Klopp as well as potential suitors.
The 28-year-old has been strongly tipped to leave this summer in search of regular first-team football, with Besiktas having surfaced as avid admirers.
With just one year remaining on his current deal on Merseyside, there is still a chance Klopp could stick by him for one more season in aid of boosting his options from the bench.
An encouraging start to pre-season signals the return of the age-old debate over whether or not it is worth keeping hold of a man who once flaunted undisputed world-class potential.