Daniel Sturridge

[Lecter]

I understand that like in previous games he was pedestrian, but he actually scored two and his movement was electric, you could sense it in the crowd when him and Divock got the ball we were instantly lifted.

Hope he can come round to Klopps thinking and put more consistent performances in.

Origi was good yesterday, particularly second half when he drifted pout wide

Players with pace always terrify defenders (particularly fullbacks) when they isolate them. I actually wish Mane would do more of this

Sturridge's attacking play on and off the ball is great to watch but just like with the old great Liverpool side, you have to work just as hard without the ball as you do in possession and thats were the question marks over Sturridge will persist

[Fosterbloke]

Another astute observation by the transfer Midas himself, Graeme Souness -

Graeme Souness has questioned whether Daniel Sturridge has the work ethic or mentality to become first choice at Liverpool.

Sturridge has found himself down the pecking order of strikers at Anfield this season, with the Englishman starting just four games of a possible 11 in the Premier League.

He is yet to find the net in league action, with Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho more often entrusted in forward roles by Jurgen Klopp.

Writing for The Times, former Liverpool midfielder and manager Souness has questioned the 27-year-old’s mental and physical capabilities.

“As we saw with his goal, Sturridge has that quality, but what he does not have, and which all successful teams want, is a work ethic,” he said.

“That explains why two big clubs, Manchester City and Chelsea, have let him go and why he is now not in the starting team at a third big club, Liverpool.

“He signed for all three before his 24th birthday, so there have been some good judges who have doubts about him.

“Sturridge is 27 now and I would suggest he’s not going to fulfil his potential.

“He either cannot maintain physically, because of his well-documented injuries, or does not want to mentally put in the shift as a team player that Jurgen Klopp demands.

“Liverpool’s manager sees him as substitute, a get-out-of-jail card who comes on with 20 minutes left.

“You would put him in ahead of Roberto Firmino for quality, there’s no argument, but the Brazilian works harder.”

[banditos]

Another astute observation by the transfer Midas himself, Graeme Souness -

Despite the fact it's Souness' giving this opinion, the nail is smarting from being hit squarely on the head.

[EwarWoo]

Its not about working harder though is it they're different types of players. Work ethic is just the latest buzz phrase to throw at players as a vague insult.

[banditos]

Its not about working harder though is it they're different types of players. Work ethic is just the latest buzz phrase to throw at players as a vague insult.

Sturridge could definitely work harder IMO. I don't recall ever seeing him make a tackle to win the ball back? This lack of graft without the ball is the key reason Klopp doesn't have him in his best XI.

[EwarWoo]

He's a traditional striker not a box to box midfielder.

Makes him a poor fit to the system not lazy.

[banditos]

He hasn't been able to adapt his style of play to suit what Klopp wants from his strikers. This might be because he is incapable of changing his playing style or because he just doesn't want to put in the graft. Being a 'traditional striker' doesn't mean he's exempt from doing what's expected by his manager and his failure to adapt has cost him his place in the team.

I'm not having a dig at the guy, just pointing out why he (rightfully IMO) doesn't get a start.

[Fredo]

He doesn't need to adapt his style of play. It's the manager's responsibility to have a system which fits his way of playing. When Sturridge is on the pitch, there should be a devised system which makes full use of what he offers. It's not the other way round as you'll nullify what makes him so prolific.

[Alex]

Not really. The manager makes the system and uses the players in it. Its only ever been the way you describe when its the best player at the club as a focal point.

We did it for Suarez and Torres. But to change the whole thing to accommodate Sturridge doesnt seem to work for me. If Coutinho, Firmino and Mane can fit. Then he can too.

[RichC]

Klopp seems to work to a style one that suits the majority of players we have at our disposal. If Sturridge wants to force his way back in he'll have to find a way of making this system work for him. Klopp in no way has to tinker a winning system for that of one player that's just daft

[spider-neil]

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sturridge-liverpool-striker-hits-back-12170314

I think Sturridge's recent quotes are refuting that he has dropped down the pecking order because of his work rate (compared to the current front 3).
I love you Daniel, but that is patently why you are on bench. I think, no question, 100%, Daniel is a more clinical finisher than all of the front three but they all three press the ball with more intensity. Sturridge has the talent and the ability but he needs to work on his intensity when he isn't on the ball. I think he knows this. My hope he is working on his stamina to press the ball harder.

[Patricks_Berger]

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport...-back-12170314

I think Sturridge's recent quotes are refuting that he has dropped down the pecking order because of his work rate (compared to the current front 3).
I love you Daniel, but that is patently why you are on bench. I think, no question, 100%, Daniel is a more clinical finisher than all of the front three but they all three press the ball with more intensity. Sturridge has the talent and the ability but he needs to work on his intensity when he isn't on the ball. I think he knows this. My hope he is working on his stamina to press the ball harder.

I wish he wouldn't talk in the press. He never comes across the way he wants to, because that doesn't make a good headline.

He came on for the last 20 or so against Watford: he was exceptional, he could have had a hat trick with two of them absolute worldies. He got an assist, he made things happen and he had loads of energy - just look at the run up to the corner that we score the 6th from - his role in that - he then takes the corner - gets back on the ball - nearly scores - get an assist - runs to congratulate the scorer.

In his last game before that against Spurs: scores two, wins the game, best player on the pitch.

The reality is Sturridge is a potentially a world class forward whose had two years of injury problems but is clearly getting back to his best. He's being kept out of the team by 3 amazing players having the best seasons of their careers.

But that doesn't sell papers.

Its long season, Mane is going the ACN for 4 -6 weeks, Sturridge will get his moment. Next year we have lots more games to play.

[Fosterbloke]

I like Sturridge and the media can go do one. Hopefully it means opposition defenders pay less attention to him.

[Charly]

I think Sturridge is a good option. Sometimes pressing can leave you out of position. Sometimes its good to have a plan b where you do things differently. I still think he is a 30 goal a season striker. We are playing well at the moment, but he may be the best option when we are not

[Kenneth]

I think it's probably safer to use goals per game than goals per season when it comes to Sturridge.