Earlier this season, I singled out Daniel Sturridge as Liverpool’s key man. The former Chelsea striker has been scoring goals for fun since his move to Anfield and looks like a new man.
He’ll probably go down as the best £12m that Brendan Rodgers has ever spent.
What’s most impressive is how Sturridge’s all-round game has developed since his move to Liverpool.
Whilst at Chelsea, there were those who claimed that the English centre-forward was a ‘limited’ player, who didn’t have the technical grace, or ability to really leave a mark on the team.
Sturridge has already proven his critics wrong. We’ve seen from his flicks, tricks and lay-offs, what a tidy player Sturridge is. He links-up intelligently with Liverpool’s midfield, works space well and is always direct when he’s on the ball.
His ability to get in behind and trouble defenders is extremely positive and has led to a number of goals over the last nine months.
He can score headers (ask Manchester United), free-kicks, long-range efforts and tap-ins. He strikes me as something of an all-round striker.
No wonder he’s been earning so much attention. Some pundits have begun to wonder exactly what will happen when Luis Suarez returns from his 10 match lay-off:
“Neither Luis or Daniel will be the main man. This isn’t the type of club for egos. It’s a club where players get told where to play. We don’t mollycoddle them here. They are all expected to come in and do a job. If they want to be the superstar, if they want to be the individual, then they can go elsewhere. It’s about the team here.” (Source: The Mirror)
Suarez will return for Liverpool’s Carling Cup clash with Manchester United (of all people!). There’s a good chance that he’ll walk straight back into the first team.
And that’s no bad thing. Yes, Suarez misbehaved this summer, but he’s still a top class player who will improve this Liverpool side and help them win games.
The Reds are in a privileged position whereby they have two world-class strikers on their books. If both players banish their egos, work together and form a viable partnership, Liverpool could well challenge for silverware this season.
In other words, I should never have claimed that Sturridge would be Liverpool’s ‘most valuable player’ this season. That approach is somewhat anachronistic. This is a team game after all.
What’s most important to Liverpool football club, is the team performing well, partnerships forming and each man playing for the badge, rather than for themselves. If Brendan Rodgers can pull that off, he’ll be onto a winner.
What’s your take? Are Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge going to be able to share the limelight?
Please follow @ThePerfectPass for more football related action!
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
both r equally important to liverpool.. all rivals are fearing this deadly duo..