DANIEL Sturridge has compared his Liverpool return to getting another chance with a girlfriend.
The former England international spent time on loan at West Brom last season, after enduring an injury-ravaged Reds career.
Daniel Sturridge parties on a yacht in Monaco after not making World Cup squad
But now fit and ready to go ahead of the new season, Sturridge cannot wait to pull on the famous Liverpool shirt again.
The 28-year-old striker told ESPN: "I love it here. I love the players, but sometimes you have to do something for you.
"I've never had any issues with anybody at the club. I've never had any issues with the manager, with the staff."
"It's the same as if you've been with a woman for a long time and then you're like, 'Man, I don't feel like it's working out anymore.' But then you go away, like 'Me and my girl's relationship was kind of sweet still. I might have to go back there.' It's kind of like that."
Sturridge's struggles for fitness and competition for places saw him restricted to just seven Premier League starts in the 2016/17 season.
After just nine games for Liverpool, the striker chose to move to West Brom on a six-month loan, where he failed to score in six league appearances.
Despite the likes of Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi and Dominic Solanke all vying for the centre forward role, Sturridge still believes there is a place for him at Anfield.
He added: "It's football, isn't it? When I was at Chelsea, we had Didier [Drogba], [Nicolas] Anelka, [Salomon] Kalou, [Florent] Malouda. We had loads of players.
"When I first joined here, we had Luis [Suarez], which people maybe was thinking we were going to play together, but I wasn't guaranteed to play when I signed for Liverpool.
"I feel like, in football, you always have to prove yourself as well."
Daniel Sturridge wears incredible Senturion wrist key to unlock his Rolls-Royce
Sturridge has been boosted in his fight to prove he is fit for the forthcoming season by heading to USA for the Reds' pre-season tour.
The ex-Chelsea star also got a taste of action, coming off the bench to feature against Borussia Dortmund and former club Manchester City.
He is not getting ahead of himself with the new Premier League campaign just around the corner though, but still has his eye on the prize.
Sturridge said: "Let's see what the future holds. I'm not going to say anything. I'm not going to talk myself up.
"If I win a trophy with Liverpool, I feel successful."
