June 2, 2017

STURRIDGE TO REMAIN AT ANFIELD NEXT SEASON?

By Marc

Embattled and injury-ravaged striker Daniel Sturridge is believed to be on his way out of Anfield this summer.


The season has been an underwhelming one for the England striker. The team seems to have adjusted to his absence and it would be difficult to become an essential part now.

Sturridge is constantly derided in the media as a player with extreme fragility. It must have affected his confidence and offerings as he has publicly admitted being hurt when he cannot contribute to the team’s success. The resolve of Anfield would be tested this summer if they would keep the player and a few others that have not contributed as much to the team this term.

Sturridge is a very good player when he is fit but with Liverpool keen to build something beautiful now his fitness concerns are a big liability. No player has reached the 21 goals he scored in 29 Premier League matches in the 2013/14 season in recent years, aside his partner Luis Suarez. His goals-to-game ratio is still impressive and he has said he is “the best striker Liverpool has.”

In the last two seasons, the figures of the player have been abysmal. He has scored just two Premier League goals this term and has played less than half of the 35 games. His three-year total is 14 in the league, while stars like Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero have scored 67 and 68 respectively. Little wonder Kane is the preferred option in the England national side.

The 27-year old is getting more weighed down by the usual decline. His pace is no longer as impressive and he does less now when he finally gets to play. Robert Firmino and DivockOrigi are still developing but Klopp may look towards adding another world class striker this summer, particularly with Champions League football imminent.

Many would have preferred the option of risk of exit or a pay-as-you play but his deal demands he gets paid, heavily too, until 2019. He might have to drop down to a lower side to get more play time as Klopp cannot build the team around him.