Daniel Sturridge is ready to quit Liverpool in January to save his World Cup dream.
The 28-year-old marksman has been an unused substitute in the Reds ’ last two games — despite scoring in both of the two before that.
His decision to cut his losses will spark a mid-season scramble, with Sturridge still seen as one of the country’s most gifted finishers.
The marksman was among seven high-profile stars axed by Gareth Southgate for the prestige friendlies against Germany and Brazil earlier this month, with the England boss naming him as one of the big-hitters not getting enough game time to be included in his current plans.
Fearing his situation is unlikely to change at Anfield over the remaining months before next summer's tournament in Russia, Sturridge is set to follow the likes of Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere in seeking a fresh start to get his career back on track.
Sources close to him are hoping Liverpool will put a realistic price-tag on his head when the transfer window reopens.
A loan deal is even a possibility, despite the Reds rejecting such an approach from French giants Paris Saint-Germain last winter.
Sturridge netted against Huddersfield and Maribor before the international break, and believed those goals would secure an opportunity for him to re-establish himself in the first team.
But he was kept on the bench for the 4-1 win at West Ham - even though he had scored in the 4-0 win there in May to help Liverpool secure Champions League football — and Saturday's 3-0 home victory over Southampton.
Sturridge joined Liverpool from Chelsea in January 2013 and enjoyed an outstanding start to his Anfield career, with 35 goals in 49 games over his first 18 months.
In just over three years since however, he has made only 71 more appearances, netting 27 times.
That recent record has come amid bad luck with injuries and new boss Jurgen Klopp’s decision to use him as a fringe player.
The former Chelsea and Manchester City striker has been fit again for some time and has never complained publicly either about boss Klopp or a lack of playing time.
But he is aware that, with so many outstanding young striking talents at England’s disposal, next summer could represent a last chance for him to play at a World Cup.