Can Sturridge fire Liverpool into the Champions League?

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has returned to training after five months out injured. Can he fire the Reds into the Champions League this season?

Liverpool and England striker Daniel Sturridge is set to return to action after five months out of the game.

The striker has returned to training and may even be considered to be in the squad for the Reds Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea on Tuesday.

However, if he does not make the trip to Stamford Bridge, he will be in the squad to face West Ham next weekend.

Missed

No doubt Liverpool has missed the striker’s goals and energy up front. The 25-year-old has made just three Premier League appearances this season, scoring one goal.

Those stats are in stark contrast to his record from last season of 21 Premier League goals in 29 appearances.

Struggled

Liverpool have recently hit a spot of form and have suffered just one defeat in 16 games in all competitions. However, they have had to depend on other areas of the pitch for goals, with young attacking midfielder Raheem Sterling filling in up front.

The fact that the Reds have very few attacking options has held them back this season. Summer arrival Rickie Lambert has found the net just twice in the top-flight, after struggling to nail down a place in the starting line this season.

Controversial Italian striker Mario Balotelli has failed to find the net at all in the Premier League. There is now even a suggestion that with Sturridge returning to fitness that he could leave Anfield in the January transfer window.

I doubt many Reds fans would shed a tear if the former-Manchester City striker left the club. He has brought very little to the Reds forward line this season aside from disappointment.

His compatriot Fabio Borini is another player who has delivered very little for the men from Merseyside this season. The former-Roma star has scored once in the top-flight this season and has failed to prove that he deserves to stay at Anfield for much longer.

It would not be a major surprise if he left Liverpool this summer, because he has proved that he is not good enough to make it at Liverpool.

With Sturridge injured all three had their chance to impress up front, but all three failed and boss Brendan Rodgers resorted to playing young Sterling out of position.

The return of Sturridge will delight Rodgers, as he is just about the only striker in the Liverpool squad who seems effective at finding the net in the Premier League.

Time

Daniel Sturridge will have to be eased back into first team action after such an injury lay-off. The Reds cannot afford to rush him back only for the striker to pick-up another injury and endured another injury lay-off.

The striker will need time to regain his match fitness and sharpness, because one of his greatest assets is his sharpness and speed. He will however be eager to get back into action after missing much of the campaign.

Chance

Liverpool still have a chance of making the top four and securing a Champions League position for next season. They had endured an inconsistent campaign until the last few months and have suddenly found form.

The Reds are currently eighth place in the Premier League table, but are just five points behind fourth place Manchester United. The Red Devils are not exactly in great form themselves and could still slip-up this season.

Difference

For Liverpool the return of Daniel Sturridge to first team action could mean the difference between success and failure this season. They are still in the Capital One Cup, FA Cup and Europa League, plus still in with a chance of making the top four as well.

It is not all doom and gloom as some fans would have you believe for the Reds. Liverpool with a fully-fit Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana could very well enjoy a successful end to the season.

A top four finish and a trophy is not impossible for Liverpool and considering they endured such a sticky patch earlier in the season that would not be a terrible result.

Can Sturridge fire Liverpool into the Champions League?