Sturridge breaks silence after an arrest warrant issued to the ex-Liverpool star

Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge claims he was 'unaware' of a hearing in California, after a warrant was issued for his arrest for failing to appear in court.

Mail Sport revealed a warrant had been issued for Sturridge's arrest in connection with a claim he owes to a man who says he found his dog.

Sturridge, 34, publicly offered a reward for the safe return of his pet Pomeranian in July 2019 after revealing it had been stolen from his house in LA.

Foster Washington, an American rapper known as Killa Fame, took credit for reuniting Sturridge with his dog Lucci, but said he did not receive the promised payment, leading him to launch a civil lawsuit.

In December 2021, an LA court ordered Sturridge to pay Washington $30,000 (£24,400) following a default judgment, which came after the ex-Liverpool star did not respond to the complaint.

Sturridge was called back to court last month for a ‘debtor's exam’, where he was meant to answer questions on his finances.

He did not attend and court documents seen by Mail Sport show he has now been served a bench warrant – a summons issued by a judge to arrest a defendant and bring them before court. A new hearing has been set for November 30.

Sturridge has now addressed the claims, insisting he had only just been made aware of the court hearing. The former England claimed he had already paid a young boy who found his dog.

Sturridge said he has instructed lawyers to deal with the matter, hitting out at the 'speculative claim'.

‘The news yesterday was the first time my family and I heard that someone is continuing to try to get money from me, following the theft of my family's dog, Lucci, which happened 4 years ago,' Sturridge wrote on social media.

‘The truth is, I personally paid a