After showing signs of being the perfect option to lead Liverpool’s dangerous attack, Daniel Sturridge has faded away into nothingness – and the Reds fans here in the Tavern think it may be the end for the striker.

Injury after injury has left the England forward sidelined for large swathes of the season, with the striker mustering a modest five Premier League starts this season.

Jurgen Klopp has given Sturridge time to prove his fitness, despite calls from former midfielder Didi Hamann to publicly call out the player for his poor mental attitude towards injury, claiming many of them are ‘in his head’.

Time is now running out for Sturridge.

At the age of 27, the forward should be at the peak of his powers, yet rarely finds himself on the pitch.

Admittedly at one stage the former Chelsea man looked like one of the best finishers in the division, but this ability seems to have deserted him.

If Hamann is right in his damning verdict of the striker, then it is time Liverpool cut their losses and moved the player on.

Klopp is an ambitious manager, and cannot rely on Sturridge to return to his former self.

Liverpool require a quality striker, and do not need the forward rotting on the injury table for the next few years.

A club will undoubtedly gamble on the fitness of Sturridge this summer, but Klopp will be looking for replacements to bolster his squad.

Here we take a look at three players Klopp could turn to this summer to improve the Anfield side, including a direct replacement for the crocked forward.

Hakan Calhanoglu

Although Sturridge plays best as a striker, he has often found himself placed out wide for both club and country to accommodate other players.

Hakan Calhanoglu is a player who could replace Sturridge in this role, and represents a realistic target for the Reds.

Calhanoglu’s Leverkusen have had a torrid season, and languish in the bottom half the German top flight.

After enjoying Champions League campaigns in recent years, the Bundesliga side will not be gracing Europe next season.

At 23 Calhanoglu is ready for a new challenge.

Good enough to play in Europe, the Turkish forward would relish a move to a Liverpool side offering Champions League football.

Of course Liverpool are yet to earn this prize, but even if they do not, the Europa League looks likely. Klopp will be familiar with the player from his time in German football with Dortmund and Mainz, and the young Turk will be fully aware that Klopp would be an excellent mentor in continuing his development.

A raw talent, the German manager could really get the best out of this talented forward.

Virgil van Dijk

Would it really be a transfer window if Liverpool didn’t sign a Southampton player? Saints defender Van Dijk has been sidelined since January with an ankle injury, but is set to make a shock return before the end of the season. Liverpool have been heavily linked with the player all year, and a bid this summer seems very likely.

The biggest issue that remains over Liverpool signing the Dutch defender is the financial clout of other clubs. Manchester City are extremely interested in the player, and possess the financial backing to spend big. With Southampton slapping a £60 million price tag on the player in an attempt to ward off potential buyers, Liverpool may be ruled out of the running if the Saints refuse to lower their demands.

Liverpool’s defensive capabilities have been nothing short of diabolical at times this season, and Van Dijk would be the perfect start to the creation of a formidable defence at Anfield. This deal looks unlikely happen due to the interest of others and the sums of money being bandied about, but would be a serious statement of intent if Liverpool were to get it done.

Lars Stindl

A 28-year-old central midfielder, Lars Stindl is an impressive player.

The Borussia Monchengladbach star has been utilised in a more forward role this year, and boss Dieter Hecking has been amply rewarded, with the player finding the net on no less than 16 occasions.

Gladbach haven’t enjoyed the best of seasons domestically, and failure to qualify for Europe may see Stindl looking for a fresh challenge.

Liverpool already boast an array of attacking talent, and the league’s top scorers have not struggled for goals this year. Current midfielders Jordan Henderson and Emre Can are not renowned for their goal scoring exploits, so adding a goal scoring central midfielder to the side would make Klopp’s side an intimidating force.

Let Stindl loose in the box to box midfielder role alongside a holding player, and Liverpool will be hard to defeat.

Klopp’s German links could be pivotal in getting this deal over the line, and a deal for Stindl should be an affordable, no brainer.