Daniel Sturridge – Last chance to shine / Image via Independent.co.uk
Once a spearhead of the new generation, Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has become a long-forgotten postscript at Anfield.
A Forgotten Man
Liverpool manager has moved on to reveal that the England forward is fit again and in contention to feature in Reds’ forthcoming clash against Bournemouth by stating ‘it’s good option to have back’.
What Klopp refused to comment however is whether Sturridge will actually be involved in the match, as Sadio Mane remains ruled out due to a possible season-ending injury against Everton. Instead, the German tactician enthusiastically spoke of his young forces – Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Woodburn – the young lads who are stomping over the forgotten player, who should be at the peak of his powers and a driving force for his team.
Unfortunately, Sturridge’s injury-plagued season is going in an opposite direction to Liverpool’s top-four campaign.
Instead of seeing dance-happy Sturridge driving his revival, hand in hand with his club’s advances for top places, the 27-year-old has come down to a bare mention in the context of alternatives Jurgen Klopp can think about of fielding to replace his star player.
Those who are well-aware with Jurgen Klopp’s modus operandi and his way of thinking in general will have read it somewhere between the lines however – Sturridge no longer features in German tactician’s plans.
It has become a commonly known fact although many of us would not go on to label it as such, but Daniel Sturridge is an attention seeker. And in the case of his fall from grace at Liverpool and with his manager, there is no one else to blame but Sturridge himself.
Similarities between Klopp and Sturridge will come as obvious even for the most peripheral viewer of the Liverpool situation, and their similarities – rather than differences – are exactly what keeps the two of them world apart at the moment.
Apparent lack of effort from one side will only highlight the obvious lack of the same thing from another side. It is as simple as that.
Lack of Effort
It is a thing that strikes me most as a Liverpool fan when talking about Daniel Sturridge – his apparent lack of effort to change things. To change himself. To change the way Jurgen Klopp feels about him. To change how people feel about him.
One could argue that a person should not change to accommodate others’ opinions and it remains a topic open for debate, but as a professional player as he is – or better said was – Daniel Sturridge is expected to be ready to look for ways to adapt at least.
Christian Benteke failed to do it, Joe Hart lacked the heart to go through it as well.
All three of them will in my mind be remembered as players who lacked the guts to try something new. All three of them, hiding behind their insecurities and unwillingness to go that extra mile to try and make it work.
Klopp – and Guardiola if you like – are the type of managers who like to work with a committed player, with a dedicated player.
Sturridge, unfortunately, does not seem to be fitting the bill.
Last Chance
As he waits anxiously for a chance to prove me wrong, against Bournemouth hopefully, Daniel Sturridge is I think very much aware that time is slowly running on his Liverpool days. He can either grab it by the scruff of the neck and decide to make his manager pick him in front of the talented kids or go with the flow, find yet another thing to complain about after a virus, a hip problem and who knows what.
Earning the right to run on the pitch against Bournemouth will not be the only thing he needs to do. He needs to make it count. Seeing that he is finally 100% fit to play, at least 100% should be expected on the pitch as well.
Or we can put it differently, Daniel Sturridge needs to persuade Klopp that it is not about him – but about Liverpool.
Daniel Sturridge never quite struck me as a team player Liverpool yearn for. An unsolicited shot here and there when a pass would be more suitable was to the simplest – admittedly – the biggest issue I have had with the England striker for a long time now. It is a recurring issue which bothered me during his time at Chelsea as well.
He would either complain to be played out of position, or played insufficiently. Either way, Sturridge would always have plenty of reasons to be unhappy with the manager. Ultimately, it just makes you wonder.
It makes you ask yourself if the burning talent and undeniable quality are all that counts?
Apparently not.
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