Chelsea striker Danny Sturridge almost scuppered his imminent move to Liverpool with an extraordinary playing demand.

The Sunday Mirror says negotiations between Sturridge and Liverpool stalled while the 23-year-old asked about a written agreement to play through the middle.

Chelsea forward Sturridge explored the possibility of making it official in any deal that he could only play as a centre-forward.

But he has now accepted a contract stipulating he will play as a centre-forward is not possible and underwent a medical yesterday ahead of completing his January switch.