8 Jan 2013

Stats: Daniel Sturridge vs. Mansfield: How well did he actually perform...?

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge scored an impressive goal on his debut against Mansfield, but statistically, how did he get on overall?

Luis Suarez replaced Sturridge after 55 minutes, but the former Chelsea star still ended up with the man of the match award, which is a credit to his overall impact on the game.

Sturridge has since admitted that he is not currently 100% match-fit, which probably explains Rodgers took him out of the game in the second half.

How did Sturridge really get on against Mansfield? Here are his stats:

* Overall passing accuracy: 85%
* Passing accuracy in opposition half: 83.9%
* Total passes: 71
* Total successful passes: 59
* Successful cross: 0
* Unsuccessful crosses: 2

* Shots on target: 5
* Shots off target: 4
* Shooting accuracy: 55%
* Offsides: 2
* Chances created: 2
* 80% of shots on target from inside 18-yard box.
* 20% from outside 18 yard box.
* 80% of overall shots with left-foot.

* Duels won: 8 (42%)
* Duels lost: 11 (58%)
* Aerial duels won: 0
* Aerial duels lost: 3
* Interceptions: 3
* Fouls won: 2
* Tackles won: 0

STATS: Opta

So, what can be gleaned from these performances stats?

- Defensively, Sturridge is not up to scratch yet. For a guy who's 6'2, he didn't win a single aerial battle. He also didn't win a single tackle in 55 minutes.

- Sturridge lost more one-on-one duels than he won, but when he's up to full fitness, that should change.

- Passing accuracy is very good, and is on a par with the club's overall average for the season (85%). Considering the state of the pitch, that's an excellent result.

- Shooting accuracy is good, but not great. Every shot on target came with Sturridge's left foot, but every shot he took with his right foot was off-target.

It's just one game, but there are plenty of positive signs, especially on the attacking front.

Jaimie Kanwar


68 comments:

  1. Also playing on that field was in no way a positive for a player like sturridge.
    i think once the fitness is up we can look forward to him terrorising  defenders at anfield.

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  2. The main thing for me is he scored. He could have had a hat trick really, but he hasnt played much recently so is lacking in match fitness, and he said he only had 3 training sessions, so obviously still needs to bed in a bit. But I thought he did pretty well.

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  3. I reckon those are really good stats for someone coming back from injury.

    For someone playing in a totally one-sided first half against a non-league team however...

    I'm joking. I think he did really well, should have had 2 or 3.

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  4. Now watch him score the winner at the weekend, courtesy of a Luis Suarez special...

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  5. Didn't he score with his right foot?

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  6. He scored a goal, end of story. That's been your mantra for years now JK: if a striker scores a goal then he's done his job. You used to harp on about how Rafa didn't play strikers the game after they scored, not once ever doing this kind of detailed statistical analysis. 

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  7. I think he done well considering he has not played since Nov if I am not mistaken. And his goal will only raise his confidence! However must I say I was disappointed with our performance.

    For Sunday I would like to see:

    Sterling-Sturridge-Suarez

    With Suarez and Sturrudge alternation throughout the match and Sterling alternating with the right wing.

    Is any one optimistic about Sunday? I am not so sure.

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  8. The one thing that makes me nervous is Howard Webb. Suarez, Sterling and Sturridge running at their defence should be a sight for sore eyes. They can drive them absolutely insane. RVP is always likely to score and he does seem to do his fair share of it against us but what worries me more than that is Webb and his dodgy decisions.

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  9. I have a great feeling about sturridge. You don't get signed by chelsea because you're bad. I think he has flair, something Liverpool's strike-force has lacked in recent years, part from Suarez.

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  10. Hopefully with Sturridge playing Liverpool can finally play a legit 4-3-3. So far this season Suarez has been so isolated up front it looks/feels more like a 4-5-1. This huge gap really exposes are midfield as we don't have that kind of quality unless Gerrard starts playing more consistently like he did vs Sunderland. With a front 3, Sterling/Downing/Borini Suarez Sturridge can interchange with their clever movement.

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  11. If we can keep RVP quiet then we could be in with a chance. I think a lot will depend on Vidic as well, because without him they are vunderable, but with him they are obviously a lot better.

    I would settle for a draw, and no stupid decisions. 

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  12. I think Downing offers more  defensively, which is important. Sterlings pace could be good as a substitute. However if Sturridge is still not match fit i think it would be better bringing him on instead of starting and taking him off, as he can have more impact late than early with his pace and defenders tiring.


    However Man Utd's slow start to games this season may mean i should reverse what i just said, and we should start with the attacking line up you have posted.

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  13. ManU's back line is getting old and not as mobile as before. Our front line's got pace and great movement so I don't see why we can't get a good result.

    If we can catch their center backs high they will get exposed.

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  14. I thought Sturridge did very well for his first game. He scored, which is all you can ask for. He could have had two more, but was just a bit off the pace to get them, but when you consider he hasn`t played for almost two months, I think he looked good. Sharpness will improve per game, so will gelling with the team.

    The main thing that impressed me was his movement, time and time again he was making the runs between the last defender and into the space behind him. Now against prem defenders this option wont be there as much, but you can only play against the team up against you. 

    It will be good to see Suarez and Sturridge on the pitch at the same time, to see how they link up, Shelvey and Sturridge linked up really though.

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  15. The shot that mattered was with his right foot and resulted in the ball ending up in the back of the net. Looks like a very good prospect to me. Should be interesting to see him with Suarez. 

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  16. I wouldn`t say I was optimistic, but we do normally up our game for the big ones. It will be a tough game, and I can see us losing it 3-1, but if we can start well and grab a early goal, who knows.

    Like yourself I would like to see that starting front line. I wonder how close Borini is to being fully fit, to be used as the sub. Until then I have a feeling he may use Sturridge or Suarez, and not both at the same time, as once the game rolls on, we don`t have anyone to switch up front to change things.

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  17. Agreed. He looked fast, and found the spaces well. He aint played for two months, so once his sharpness returns, I think he could be one heck of a player

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  18. Writing an article about the performance of Daniel Sturridge after one game is really pointless ...


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  19. why any one  not talking to shelvey about his shooting? every time he trys to shoot he shoots with his left leg,and he could do better with his right one ,this is basic mistake he is making wonder why roger not spotting that

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  20. What is your problem? This is a positive article, or can't you read? Plus, many people asked for this statistical analysis, so get off your high horse.

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  21. Sir.....(Dave Chapelle Voice)

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  22. True his appointment did make me think hmmm. But he is the *top* referee in England and this is the biggest match in the PL so fair enough. But he needs to be on point.

    I think Sterling has a lot to learn still but he's promising. Maybe a few more crosses and shots on target.

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  23. The only stat that matters is goals; one goal each game will do from Sturridge !. He's fast and hardworking; lets hope he picks up his sharpness !. Not sure I would play him from the start on sunday; better packing the midfield in the first half, and using him as a sub. Play Hendo, Stevie G, Lucas in the middle and use allen as a sub. 

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  24. Hi Will. That's very true. Our midfield needs to be on point for this one. I don't think Lucas is ready yet. But although Hendo has improves I don't trust him in these big matches.

    But last home match Allen was getting forward, that's where I want to see him play.

    We'll see.

    And also this whole Agger Skrtel partnership makes me shiver at times...and not in a nice way. To prone to mistakes.

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  25. Hmmm you made a good point. Maybe bring on Sterling and Sturridge on the 60th minute. Maybe play Downing (can't believe I'm saying this), Suarez and Gerrard front 3.

    And have Allen and 2 others lol

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  26. Sup Zan! That's true!

    I guess we should bring Sturridge later on in the game. Also, Shelvey man... He puzzles me...His lack of pace is a real problem. We cannot play him as front 3. Play him in the middle.

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  27. I am still not convinced by Shelvey...I mean he shows flashes of brilliance but is too inconsistent.

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  28. Yea Allen has looked pretty good in the more advanced positions.

    It will be a very tough game as always, but I remain optomistic for a draw.

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  29. What do you think about getting in Gamerio on loan Jamie? Are you happy with the one extra striker, or like myself would you love to see one more player come in, just to give extra options, and really force our attacking line? 

    I think Sturridge will be great for us, but I still want one more Striker or very good wide player, purely so we can challenge and switch things in hard games. For a few years now including Rafa`s time I`ve felt we always lacked options up front. All top four teams and esp winning ones have several good options. Look at man Utd, the rest of there team isn`t that great, some very average players in it, yet year upon year they challenge, and I think this is down to them always having one of the best up fronts in the league. 

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  30. You can be sure that we will be up for it for sure - whether we actually win will be another thing. I'm more concerned about our defence - just too many lapses and no one player at the back can be said to be really reliable at the moment.

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  31. Thought he did decent for a player on his debut and not fully match-fit. Plus, he scored. What he showed in glimpses which I liked was being quite incisive or penetrative - something we generally lack. Maybe this is the 'selfishness' that people criticise him of.

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  32. Completely agree, Zanatos. Another striker to round out the squad should be a priority, especially since Sturridge admits that he's not match fit.

    We need someone else to come in and hit the ground running. Why do we always sign players who are not ready from day one? Carroll arrived with an injury; Aquilani was injured when he arrived; Sturridge is not match fit; Assaidi has barely figured. Just get someone in who's fit and can play at full capacity for a change!

    I haven't watched Gameiro that much to be honest, but his stats seems to be quite good. He could only enhance the squad.

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  33. We should play to our own strengths and take the game to them. I know that's not the obvious thing to do against Man United at their place but it's the best way to battle them. Don't let their defence settle and break down their attacks as quickly as possible in midfield. Line up as:

    Downing - Sturridge - Sterling

    -------------Suarez

    -------Henderson---Gerrard

    The top sides always play their own game, at home and away. We really need this win to boost morale and set us up for the remainder of the season. To be honest I'd rather lose 4-3 than leaving there with a point which would do us no good what so ever.

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  34. Just wanted to say and please correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't his goal scored on his right foot? Apart from that I believe what we saw from him was very promising, considering the player himself stated he felt really tired. I have a certain optimism about him and believe how he expressed himself when coming onto the pitch and his celebration after scoring his goal (dance put to one side at the minute Daniel) showed that he is definitely passionate about taking this opportunity to play for us. He showed enough to me to have faith that he will improve and improve reasonably quickly as it's only really fitness that seems to be the immediate issue.

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  35. You raise an interesting point although I don't necessarily agree 100%, but I'm quite interested to hear your thoughts on who you feel is our strongest defensive pairing, and who you would put in defensive midfield in place of Lucas, Henderson? Thanks...

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  36. As Will said above, if we can keep RVP in his place then we have a very good chance of beating them as they have of beating us. Remember, they will also have their work cut out keeping Luis quiet. Plus, agreeing with you that we normally up our game for these matches fills me with much excitement and anticipation........(three points against the mancs and the boys will have me believing we really can make a push for top 4...or at least somewhere respectable)

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  37. I often wonder the same Jamie. I always think it works negative for the player too, as it means the player has been here longer before he gets a game and people get on the players back, meaning when he does return from injury he has to be outstanding from day 1. Look at Assaidi, people are already calling him a flop. When he does get a game now if he don`t score or set a few up, he is up against it.

    I would more understand if we got them super cheap due to their injury, or they were superstars. We though seem to go for normal players at high prices who are injured. I also think it gives extra risk as you can never tell if the player will come back as good as he was before. Look at Owen, if you signed him after one of his injuries thinking you were getting the same player before, you would have had a shock. He lost a lot of his pace.

    I haven`t sen too much of Gameiro either, and wasn`t to sure on him, but a lot seem to rate him. 

    If it isn`t a out and out striker, another wide striker would be great, maybe Ince is the extra one, and although he looks good, and would be a good addition, it still isn`t the proven player I would like. He still is a risk, and while would be good, it would be good to have someone who is a bit older, and has proved themself in a few teams, that can come in and make the difference like you said from day 1

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  38. I was going to write that!

    I thought his positional sense was pretty good but he could have done better with the two one on ones he had with the keeper. Maybe he got a bit cocky and thought it was too easy? Who knows but I did see a bit of Torres/Owen in his goal: running between the two centre backs to a through ball and calmly sliding it past the keeper.  It'll be good to see how he plays alongside Suarez and, probably more importantly; Gerrard. 
    I'm optimistic for our future.

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  39. I was one of them, thanks!

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  40. Won't the return of Borini put paid to this? 

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  41. Hey buddy. 

    Shelvey is looking better as the season goes on I think. He still has a lot of work to do, as his shooting is really really poor, but compared to last year, where he didnt look comfortable, I think he is growing into the Gerrard role. 

    I would love to see Sturridge and Suarez at the same time, and I think that is the main aim. Currently though I think he may wait until Sturridge is a bit fitter, and use him as a sub for the Man utd game. 

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  42. Nice statistical summary.  It could be shortened to two sentences:  He scored a great goal. He had two other clear chances that he squandered.

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  43. Yea if we win, it will be awesome, will really give us confidence, although I think we are at the stage we need to keep winning now. No good beating them then losing the week after, and this time the week after is another top team I think?

    I don`t think it is as pressured a game as it could be though, as due to this season and a few others, if we do lose, its kinda expected, which maybe a reflection of how far we have fallen. If we win, its OMG here we go time. 

    If we can pull off some good results in the next three games though, It will set us up for a great run in. I still don`t think we will hit fourth, purely as there is too many teams above us we need to fail, and I cant see them all doing that. But even 5th or 6th would be better than last year, and then next season we can get off to a better start as it wont be a case of new style etc

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  44. I think Sterling as a sub, and downing starting would be a good call. We need players who have experience for these sort of games. Plus when Sterling comes on, he has killer pace, so might be able to make that difference at the end of the game. (I never thought I would be sat here saying, play Downing from the start).

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  45. Gerrard was the same at 20, mate. He's growing into his role in the team and will steadily improve. His through ball for Sturridge was reminiscent of Gerrard feeding Torres. Hopefully a sign of things to come!

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  46. I`ve been saying a while we need a new DM. Not just for cover, but because it is so important to the team. Due to the fact the DM don`t score etc no one ever seems to keen on spending money on them. But they can be the reason you keep clean sheets, and if the other team never score, you got a better chance of winning. Lucas settled into that role well, but I still don`t think he is as good as Masch was. I think Lucas is better at moving the ball after, but to me, we lack strength in that area. I think of everyone in the team Lucas does the role the best, so even though he had a poor game last time, would still play him, but getting someone else in who is a true monster in that role would be sweet. We could then let Lucas play a more advanced role, something he did so well at at youth level.

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  47. 188cm is 6'2" fella

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  48. No, but they've taken a fair amount of good players and made them look bad: Crespo, Shevchenko, Torres etc.

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  49. don't no who did these stats but i'm positive he scored with his right foot so he must have had a shot "on target" with his right.

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  50. As worrying as webb is (and he has cost us a fair share of games in the past with his decisions) I am more concerned with Sterling maturity in this game. He is going up again Evra who is very good both defensively and more recently in the attacking third. We harp on glen for not defending but sterling might be even worse because of his small frame. If he lets evra get up the pitch and put in those dangerous balls it might be a long afternoon for us. And with his recent goalscoring form, expect ManU's play to go down the left with a lot of overlaps from evra. Hope BR has a contingency plan for this because with enrique out, our right size might be a little inexperienced with sterling and wisdom (im assuming glen goes LB and wisdom starts)

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  51. I agree...but his brilliance seems to be being in the right place at the opportune moment so I'd have to wonder how much luck played into that. What concerns me most is the number of times he gets himself into a great place and mishits the ball. This is a big concern for me.

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  52. He also had a shot saved with his right in the first half that was on target.

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  53. Wow!!!! Deceptively tall!

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  54. yep they are alot better with him till hes does something daft and gets sent off hope he plays i think him and duck lip are now there weak links. luis please shake the little cunts hand and then work it right up his hoop a nice hatrick would do!!!

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  55. considering he was playing against "Tony Pulis' academy" it was quite a good game!

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  56. Sturridge did well for his first game...his pace stops teams defending high against us ..that really is our Achilles heel

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  57. Liverpool for Life7:01 pm, January 08, 2013

    Rumour has it that Ian Rush will be signed during the January window. He is just getting match fit . Three pronged attack of Suarez , Rush and Sturridge . No transfer fee for Rush , so a real bargain too.

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  58. may as well get ron yeats back as well cos even at his age he would be quicker than coates

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  59. He scored with his right  foot!!!!

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  60. Wow 6'2...i thought he was 6ft [looks shorter]. he admits himself he needs to get match fit. not a bad debut.

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  61. Match fitness will come with games played. If he can last 55 mins every game and score goals, fine by me. The lad has a lot to prove to the club and himself. Even Woy. He will battle for the club just to prove his doubters wrong before signing on. me included.

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  62. RVP is the biggest threat. but Hernandez is lethal as well. Valencia is also capable of punishing us. 
    MU knows our weaknesses and will try for the counter attack for goals. 
    We have lost games like this. BR has to come up with a masterstroke in terms of tactics if we want to see manure off. 

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  63. I also thought the keeper tipped one round the post of his right foot...no?.  the Stepover bit....

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