The EFL Cup clash with Southampton could have arrived at the perfect time for Daniel Sturridge, with Jürgen Klopp keen for the striker to grab the opportunity circumstances have presented.

Liverpool are set to be without Sadio Mane for January due to the forward’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, while Philippe Coutinho is only just returning from an extended spell out with an ankle injury.

Sturridge, on the other hand, is fit and available – and will hope to get the nod in the semi-final, first leg at St Mary’s tonight after featuring in the second half of Sunday’s goalless FA Cup draw with Plymouth Argyle.

On the chances of the Englishman getting a run in the team, Klopp said: “It would be fantastic and sometimes you need to feel lucky with timing.

“Sadio is away, Philippe is on the way back and Daniel is already back. That helps and I hope it stays like this for him. Against Plymouth we could give him 20 to 25 minutes after the Sunderland game and he trained on Monday, so good news.

“But it depends. Does he stay fit? If Daniel is fit, are there ever any arguments here about his quality? No.

“We had the time when he was already fit and he didn’t start because there was a difference between being fit and match-fit and all that stuff.

“But it is a big step in the right direction. If he stays on this fitness level and improving as he always should, that is perfect.

“It is perfect news for him and for us that he can perform. It would be cool if we could speak like this for the next few weeks and months.”