Can Sturridge really revive himself at Liverpool?

When Daniel Sturridge moved from Chelsea to Liverpool in January they hailed the £12 million move as a superb acquisition and one for the future.

There were those insistent that he would definitely succeed because he was in his last chance saloon after not cutting the mustard at two top level clubs.

He may be only 23 years of age but can he live with the fact that he is not the main striker and that Luis Suarez is.

The Reds fans are insistent he will come good, but part of his transition to success is accepting a role as auxiliary striker.

He has been keen to emphasise that he is an out and out striker but if he is to really succeed at Anfield he needs to use more than his goalscoring instinct.

Sturridge had a lively start and now the hype around his transfer has calmed it is time he starts to assert himself.

The Old Guard at Liverpool are finally reaching the end of their paths on Merseyside but for the England international this is just beginning. He may be the star of the show in a few years but he needs to establish key connections first.

Coutinho and Sturridge represent the new generation at Liverpool and if they can find an understanding on a level that Suarez and the Brazilian did at Wigan on the weekend then the future could be very bright indeed.

Follow @GrantMilesFF

Comments

[Rav Dhillon]

How do I put this politely .... what is this garbage you have just posted?

"He may be only 23 years of age but can he live with the fact that he is not the main striker and that Luis Suarez is"

He is the main striker as he plays the central role with Suarez floating in behind, and only when Suarez starts alone does he act as the main striker.

"He has been keen to emphasise that he is an out and out striker but if he is to really succeed at Anfield he needs to use more than his goalscoring instinct"

What is the above about?? have you not seen the awareness and off ball intelligence that he has with Suarez and the rest of the attack?? Do you not remember the dummy that let Suarez in? was that not his second game in? and at that point many were saying that he needed to train more with Suarez to gain an understanding, well that one has been put to bed also.

"Sturridge had a lively start and now the hype around his transfer has calmed it is time he starts to assert himself"

I am not too sure why you would write any of this, but either you are a cynic or you haven't really seen or followed the team closely as much as you apparently make out.

[joe]

whoever wrote this article doe,s not know what he,s talking about sturrige is liverpools first striker suarez is not an all out striker even the manager has stated that in several press meetings. everybody knows suarez dos,nt operate like a normal all out striker.if he wants to succeed at liverpool he needs to use more than his goal scoring instinct WHAT look if he keeps banging them in thats more than enough, screw your head on and write about something you know.no disrespect but this is an insult to peoples intellegence .sorry about the spelling

[joe]

see told you

[joe]

Rav said it so much better than me and you maybe you should ask him to write these articles out that would make me happy

[Rav Dhillon]

Hi Joe,

I think you put your point across superbly mate, and I can feel the passion in your words. No disrespect to the author, but I think he was and maybe still is a little bored and maybe that is why he wrote this article, whilst at the same time looking for some attention. BUT the worst part is that he actually thought that he was (is) writing something intelligent.

[j75j]

He was cutting the mustard last season at Chelsea until RDM dumped him on the bench and he still finished the season joint top goal scorer at Chelsea! Showed at Bolton if given the chance he can score goals, Sturridge was showing plenty in the last 18 months before joining Liverpool.
accepting a role as auxiliary striker???????? He has been playing as the striker for Liverpool and his hold up play and his movement off the ball has been brilliant! Have you watched any of the games he has played in since he joined Liverpool??????

[Mr Dembastic]

Hi guys,

Rav I will address your points first. Sturridge being an auxillary striker. Well I am saying he is supporting Suarez in terms of the goal load which he is. Luis Suarez is the main player at Liverpool, this was not a word mean't to discuss his style of play. Also I am maybe intelligent enough to realise that Liverpool have a fluid system up front which means that Sturridge can interchange in terms of who sits centrally up front with Suarez and that is essential for the partnership to flourish. He may succeeded in his first few games but this by no means guarentees he will do this for the long term.

Yes it is time to assert himself, because a handful of games is not going to save Liverpool and if Sturridge is as good as we all hope he can be, then he will crucial for Liverpool in years to come. So his relationship with Coutinho as part of the new look Liverpool is essential. Those two signings is something Rodgers has got right.

Joe I would raise the point to you. Is a goalscorer enough? Certaintly not just have a look at Papiss Cisse to see when your confidence goes then the rest of your inefficiencies are suddenly exposed.

He has only played a few games and is back from injury this weekend so thought it was a good time to assess. I am a little bored though of fans like you assuming he has made it after a few games. How can I make out I follow the team in 200 words or so. I follow the Premier League but if you are interested. I walk alone. You're impeccable knowledge relies on "second game in?" I am very impressed keep it up.

J75j if he really was to be a success at Chelsea surely he would have made his way into an attack which has desperately needed goals. I will admit he was good at Bolton, but no disrespect to them, Liverpool demand Champions League football and need leaders. It is a different task to that at Bolton.

Thanks for the comments.

[Bill]

I would say after reading the drivel written by Mr Dembastic that he hasn't watched any of the games Sturridge has played in. Sturridge and Saurez have both played the striker role but sturridge has been the centre forward with Suarez playing off him, I have no doubt they could switch roles to suit the occasion as they have developed a telepathic understanding in such a short time as has Couthino.

What a foursome we could have with Sterling on the right, Couthino on the left and Sturridge and Suarezin the middle. Lucas and Gerrard behind them supplying the feeding frenzy.

[Clyde]

really bad article for all the reasons listed in the above comments

[j75j]

I said he was showing plenty. Your missing my point he scored goals at Chelsea and he was in competition with Torres, Drogba, Kalou, Mata and Maluda mainly playing on the wing but scored 11 in 28 starts and 5 assists at 21/22. AVB comparing Sturridge to Hulk Mancini questions why City allowed him to leave. You choose to talk negative about him but take no notice of the 18 months or so before he joined Liverpool something like 20 league goals in 40 games 1 in 2 shows the promise of Sturridge.