Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge clear to play despite FA betting probe

Sturridge was charged with misconduct by the FA for an alleged breach of betting rules last week

Daniel Sturridge was charged with misconduct by the Football Association last week (Getty)

Daniel Sturridge will be available to play for Liverpool this weekend should the investigation into his alleged breach of betting rules drag on beyond the international break.

Sturridge was charged with misconduct by the Football Association last week. The alleged offence is understood to relate to his loan move to West Bromwich Albion in January.

The 29-year-old striker denied ever gambling on football upon the announcement of the charge and has until 6.00pm on Tuesday to submit an official response.

Though Sturridge insists he has never placed a bet on football, the regulations in question also prohibit players from passing on privileged information to others.

Regardless of Sturridge’s official response to the charge, the process is likely to be drawn out over several weeks due to there being no set punishment in cases of this nature.

Sturridge will, however, be available for selection by Jürgen Klopp until the conclusion of the FA’s investigation, allowing him to play against Watford at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday.

Last week, a Liverpool spokesperson said that Sturridge would offer his “full and unequivocal cooperation” with the process.

“Daniel has given his full and unequivocal cooperation throughout this process and has assured the club he will continue to do so,” a statement, released last Monday, read.

“Daniel has also stated categorically that he has never gambled on football. As with any issue of this nature, we will allow the process to be concluded in its entirety before making any further comment.”

Last year, then-Burnley midfielder Joey Barton received an 18-month suspension, later reduced to 13, for placing 1,260 football bets between 2006 and 2016.

Barton was charged by the FA in December 2016 and banned the following April, making 18 appearances for Burnley while the investigation was carried out.