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Is Liverpool’s first January transfer REALLY a gamble?

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It looks like Liverpool are keen to get all their transfer business wrapped up nice and early. Given what we’ve seen of the Reds already this season, I’d say that’s a good thing.

Baring the occasional impressive performance (like their recent rout over a decent Fulham side) Liverpool have been woeful these season. The lack a focal point, the lack creativity in midfield and the balance of the squad seems all wrong.

Liverpool’s first deal of the January transfer window appears to be a move for Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge, who will cost the club between £10-12m. He’s an important addition to this Liverpool side, who are lacking in firepower.

Yet the Sun’s Shaun Custis has poured a heavy degree of scorn over the move. You may call it pessimism, I’m sure some will call it realism, but Custis has labeled Brendan Rodger’s pursual of Daniel Sturridge ‘a gamble’ (Source: The Sunday Supplement via Sky Sports).

I can’t help but feel that this is a little heavy-handed. Liverpool spending £35m on Andy Carroll was a risk. Spending £20m on Stewart Downing was a gamble (or just downright stupid). But spending around £10m on a player of Daniel Sturridge appears to be something approximate to commonsense.

Just listen to what Custis has to say: “The honest truth is we don’t know if [Sturridge’s move to Liverpool] will be a success because he’s been one of those players who has oozed potential for a long, long time but we don’t see enough of him. He doesn’t play enough full games.”

Yes, Sturridge hasn’t had regular football for some time, but hasn’t he already proven himself by now? Didn’t he prove himself at Bolton? Hasn’t he performed well at Chelsea when given the chance?

On his day, Sturridge is a natural goal-scorer. He’s also lightening quick, direct and takes up smart positions. The thought of him combining with the technically gifted Luis Suarez must be enough to make Liverpool fans salivate. If the unstoppable Uruguayan can’t get Sturridge playing his best football, nobody can.

Daniel Sturridge needs a change of scenery and Liverpool are in desperate need of a decent striker. It’s less of a gamble and more of a necessity.

It’s all too easy for Custis. If the move works out, he’ll be able to say ‘I told you so’. If it doesn’t, he’ll be able to shrug it off as very few will remember his comments. Well, I for one see no need for negativity.

Let’s hope that Daniel Sturridge proves all his critics wrong and helps shoot Liverpool back up the table.

What’s your take? Will Sturridge be a success at Liverpool?

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0 comments

  • SPW says:

    If Sturridge was any good, he’d be playing regular football, two managers at Chelsea, both RDM and Rafa, have not seen anything in him that would warrant them to keep him! Yes AVB played him out of position and he performed ok, but can you see any other clubs going for him? No, the reason is because he ain’t good enough! He will make Borini look good! I know many a Chelsea fan unfortunately and they are laughing at us! How are we supposed to compete with the teams in top 4 if we are buying players that the top 4 don’t want anymore! That £12m should be banked and put towards Guardiola’s yearly salary!

    • bill says:

      those managers arent allowed to play him, roman wants his investment to play. torres wasnt even dropped when he was at his worst

  • Noose says:

    Cant wait for him to sign! Good signing if all goes well

  • kafsha says:

    january out
    downing 10
    joe cole 4

    in
    sturridge 10
    ince 5

    ————reina————-
    jonson–skrtel–agger–enrique
    –gerrard—–lucas—–suso–
    sturridge—-suarez—-stering

    summer out
    reina 12
    enrique 8
    henderson 15
    carroll 18
    allen 8
    borini 6
    shelvey 6
    pacheco 4
    spearing 3

    total 80

    in
    ter stegen 12
    amorebieta 15
    wanyama 13
    jovetic 30
    eriksen 25
    tello 8
    higuain 25

    4-3-3

    ————ter stegen———-
    kelly–amorebieta–agger–jonson
    -gerrard—-wanyama—–eriksen-
    -suarez—–higuain—–jovetic-

    3-2-1-3-1
    ———-ter stegen———
    -skrtel—amorebieta—agger-
    —-wanyama——–lucas—–
    ———–gerrard———–
    suarez—–eriksen—-jovetic
    ————–higuain——–

  • gogoli says:

    out
    downing 10
    reina 12
    henderson 16
    enrique 8
    allen 8
    borini 8
    carroll 18
    joe cole 4
    shelvey 6
    oussaidi 3
    skrtel 12
    jonson 10

    total 115

    in
    ter stegen 10
    amorebieta 15
    ogbona 10
    wanyama 12
    lamela 10
    eriksen 25
    mertens 15
    jovetic 30
    hooper 6

    total 133

    4-3-3
    ———–ter stegen———–
    kelly–ogbona–amorebieta–agger
    -gerrard—-wanyama—-eriksen-
    -suarez——-jovetic—-lamela

    3-1-3-3
    ——–ter stegen———
    -ogbona–amorebieta–agger-
    ———-wanyama———-
    eriksen—gerrard—jovetic
    lamela—-suarez—-stering

    coach rafael benitez

  • ai says:

    liverpool summer transfer
    fabio capello and 100 million budget

    out
    reina 12
    skrtel 10
    henderson 14
    downing 10
    joe cole 4
    allen 8
    borini 6
    carroll 16
    pacheco 3
    oussaidi 3
    enrique 8
    jonson 10
    shelvey 6

    total 110

    in
    chiellini 20
    ogbona 12
    shawcross 12
    willshere 30
    wanyama 15
    mertens 14
    cavani 35
    begovic 10
    strootman 15
    eriksen 25

    ————-begovic————
    kelly–ogbona—chiellini–agger
    —–strootman—-willshere—–
    suarez——gerrard——eriksen
    ————cavani————–

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