Whisper it, but Liverpool appear to have the old Daniel Sturridge back. But how has the forward forced his way into Jurgen Klopp's thinking again and will it last?

Sturridge has appeared a man reborn in pre-season, in stark contrast to how he ended the previous campaign on loan at West Bromwich Albion.

Sturridge sustained a hamstring injury just three minutes into his third match against Chelsea, missing the next two months of West Brom's relegation battle, before heading back to Anfield having played less than two hours of football for the Baggies.

With just a year left on his Liverpool contract, the writing appeared to be on the wall, with Sevilla and Fenerbahce both reportedly keen on the signing Sturridge this summer.

And yet as we near the start of the new campaign, the England international is now in line to be involved in Liverpool's opening game of the Premier League season against West Ham at Anfield on Sunday.Sturridge has featured in all of the club's pre-season games so far this summer, scoring against Chester, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United, Napoli and Torino, while even captaining the team for the second half at Ewood Park.

"The hunger will never change. I'm taking every day as it comes with a positive mindset. That's all I'm going to do," Sturridge said after impressing on the club's summer tour of the US.

"Pre-season has been going great but, you know, I'm not getting too carried away. It's just great to be part of the club and helping and making sure that we can win games."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp certainly seems convinced, saying: "Daniel is an outstanding player. If he is fit, he will play a role in the team."

So far this summer, Sturridge has been free from injury, with the striker known to undertake a highly-disciplined eating regime in order to prevent the strains, pulls and tears that have often blighted his time at Anfield.

That diet has often included spinach, curly kale, Omega 3-rich flax and chai seeds, as well as steamed veg, meat and fish.

Meanwhile, Klopp himself has even stated that he is open to putting Sturridge on an individual training programme in order to keep him fit this season.