With five goals in four games so far this season, Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has picked up where he left off last season, and his impact on the team is such that the team has barely missed the presence of Luis Suarez. Can Sturridge maintain his superb form across an entire season, though? With his injury problems, possibly not, but Liverpool hero Gary McAllister is convinced that the 24-year old is ultimately good enough to become an all-time great at Anfield.
Speaking to TalkSport earlier today, McAllister - who had an immense impact at Liverpool during two success-laden years at the club - made the following bold claim about Sturridge's ability:
“Daniel Sturridge has been on fire. He’s a player that I have always admired.
"If he can show those sort of performances over the course of the season, then you can start mentioning him in the top 10 or 20 players in the world. He’s that good.”
Sturridge - who cost the Reds €14m in January - clearly has the ability to fulfil that prediction, but does he have the fitness level to become one of the world's best players? Not at the moment. Sturridge is, unfortunately, injury prone, and he admitted this himself in a a recent interview with LFC.com:
"I'd have his [Suarez's] fitness. He must be a man of steel or something. He gets so many kicks and he doesn't seem to feel it, whereas I get a few niggles here and there and it's very frustrating because it kills the momentum I'm having."
Sturridge is currently in the midst of his FOURTH injury lay-off since arriving at the club in January. This is a major concern, if not for the well-timed international break, he would've missed at least 2-3 weeks of Liverpool games.
Given his propensity for niggling injuries, Brendan Rodgers' decision to play Sturridge against Notts County is looking increasingly suspect, and in my view, he should start on the bench against Swansea next Monday, and should only enter the fray if there's a pressing need (i.e. Liverpool are losing/drawing).
Liverpool need to stop over-using players who are only a kick-away from another injury. It's counter-productive, and the club can't afford to have Sturridge out for an extended amount of time. Additionally, it's not as if Rodgers doesn't have cover. Iago Aspas could start upfront against Swansea, and I'm sure Reds fans would love to see the Spaniard played in his preferred position.
I have to admit, I fear for Sturridge's long-term future. He's 24 now, and it seems clear that he can't consistently play two games a week without picking up some kind of injury. And it's not just a Liverpool issue - Sturridge suffered injuries at Man City and Chelsea, and if he hasn't outgrown these recurrent problems by now, will he ever?
With the games coming thick and fast for Liverpool, plus his increased chances of regular playing time with England, it's probable that Sturridge will pick up more injuries in the future, which is why it's imperative (IMO) that Liverpool sign another goalscoring striker in January.
Jaimie Kanwar
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Speaking to TalkSport earlier today, McAllister - who had an immense impact at Liverpool during two success-laden years at the club - made the following bold claim about Sturridge's ability:
“Daniel Sturridge has been on fire. He’s a player that I have always admired.
"If he can show those sort of performances over the course of the season, then you can start mentioning him in the top 10 or 20 players in the world. He’s that good.”
Sturridge - who cost the Reds €14m in January - clearly has the ability to fulfil that prediction, but does he have the fitness level to become one of the world's best players? Not at the moment. Sturridge is, unfortunately, injury prone, and he admitted this himself in a a recent interview with LFC.com:
"I'd have his [Suarez's] fitness. He must be a man of steel or something. He gets so many kicks and he doesn't seem to feel it, whereas I get a few niggles here and there and it's very frustrating because it kills the momentum I'm having."
Sturridge is currently in the midst of his FOURTH injury lay-off since arriving at the club in January. This is a major concern, if not for the well-timed international break, he would've missed at least 2-3 weeks of Liverpool games.
Given his propensity for niggling injuries, Brendan Rodgers' decision to play Sturridge against Notts County is looking increasingly suspect, and in my view, he should start on the bench against Swansea next Monday, and should only enter the fray if there's a pressing need (i.e. Liverpool are losing/drawing).
Liverpool need to stop over-using players who are only a kick-away from another injury. It's counter-productive, and the club can't afford to have Sturridge out for an extended amount of time. Additionally, it's not as if Rodgers doesn't have cover. Iago Aspas could start upfront against Swansea, and I'm sure Reds fans would love to see the Spaniard played in his preferred position.
I have to admit, I fear for Sturridge's long-term future. He's 24 now, and it seems clear that he can't consistently play two games a week without picking up some kind of injury. And it's not just a Liverpool issue - Sturridge suffered injuries at Man City and Chelsea, and if he hasn't outgrown these recurrent problems by now, will he ever?
With the games coming thick and fast for Liverpool, plus his increased chances of regular playing time with England, it's probable that Sturridge will pick up more injuries in the future, which is why it's imperative (IMO) that Liverpool sign another goalscoring striker in January.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
you bore me i dont know why i bother reading your posts
ReplyDelete17 goals 21 games says it all, why can't he do as Macca says he can???
ReplyDeleteNext game, let Sturridge rest. Teach Suarez the goal dance, and paint him black - no one will notice!
ReplyDeleteIf he can keep fit, definitely has potential - i think this time around it is more cautionary (given liverpool's striker predicament) than a serious injury.
Hopefully Aspas can step up to the plate but i do thing we missed a trick not getting another goal scorer in especially after Borini going out on loan. Sturridge will probably pick up injuries and Suarez will probably pick up suspensions if he reverts to type when he returns. Hopefully we will have enough to get us through to January and if we can keep up the good form we will look a much more attractive proposition than we did in the summer
ReplyDeletewhat will halt sturridges progress is the ability to stay injury free....and from where im sitting its 50/50
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit worrying alright, but he does seem like a really determined player so I hope he can learn to manage himself in such a way that he can stay fit longer. I think it may have something to do with the way he strikes the ball because he has a wicked shot on him and seems to put everything into them. With more experience he may find ways around this.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Aspas should get a start centrally, and when he is central Coutinho will find him a lot more so I think he will score more.
well infortunately u can't help injuries all we can hope for is the LFC medical staff perform there wonders like they did with gerrard, agger, johnson, lucas and allen
ReplyDeleteBoth Agger and Gerrard had always been injury prone but it all changed last season with the new regime that Brendan Rogers brought in. Was last season the only season that Gerrard played every minute of every league game in his Liverpool career? I'm sure once all the data from Sturridge has been analyzed the super hi tech regime we now have at the club will ensure his training is centered around keeping him fit just like with Agger and Gerrard.
ReplyDeleteTop 20 in the world is a big ask for any player, so I'm voting no to top 10, even if he does overcome is injury concerns. I just hope he keeps on developing as he is and don't want him to get weighed down too much by over hype and unreal expectation (we do that a lot!)
ReplyDeleteHe is no Suarez or prime Torres but still quiet young. He can be top 25 at best IMO. Hope he proves everyone wrong.
ReplyDeleteMessi, Ronaldo, Suarez, Falcao, Bale, Xavi, Iniesta, Ibrahimovic, Neymar, RVP, Lewandowski, Rooney, are the ones that quickly come to mind for me, and thats with out mentioning a Bayern, Chelsea or Man City player. An Italian, or the many other Spaniards Argies Brazilians French etc etc. he is not in their class IMO, apart from him being a sick note waiting to happen. An excellent scorer on his day, but for me, thats about it, another Englishman top ten in the World player he is not, and I dont see him improving enough to reach that exalted grade.
ReplyDeleteAt time of writing its 77% yes, Wow what are they smoking.
dear mr. kanwar, I read almost everything posted on liv. newsnow page and i have to wonder why are all your peaces so negative ????. I always thought you were ynwa but it seems all you write about is negative crap. you cant even be happy with the position we are in or with our best players, you always have to find something to put down, honestly i cant think of a worse fan. try digging up some joy and spirit for the club that you supposedly supports
ReplyDeletethere's only one macca and thats mcmanaman! the one and only steve mcmanaman
ReplyDeleteFor me he's one of the most well rounded English strikers in a longtime, superb close control, dribbling, passing (both long & short), pace, shooting & positioning.
ReplyDeleteIf he gets the same sort of backing on a national level that BR has given him, I believe the sky's the limit! Personally, if fit he should lead the line for England in the World Cup, he has the confidence to do so!
Exaggeration - No. Misinterpreting what Gary McAllister said - Yes.
ReplyDeletePS There is only one Macca and it is not (the magnificent) Gary McAllister
Wow. Never know for sure for what can happen in the future but not done it over a long enough period for me to get that hopeful about him. A one-off good run of goalscoring form is not all that rare.
ReplyDeleteThe question is CAN... and IF he can keep up the way he's playing consistently why wouldn't he be? His involvement in a Liverpool goal is less then 90 mins. It's something like 17 goals and 6 assists in 21 games. IF he kept that up he would be, It would be unrealistic to ask that much of him to keep a record like that but he has the ability to. The injuries could be his downfall.
ReplyDeleteEven when he's not scoring Sturridge offers a lot more to the team than just his goals.
ReplyDeleteHe looks at least as good as Torres was imo - Torres was faster and more powerful, but Sturridge is more skilful and well rounded as a player
ReplyDeleteNot to mention his goal return when played upfront for Bolton, and even leading Chelsea in scoring whle he was playing out wide under AVB - this isn't a fluke, the guy is quality!
ReplyDeleteSturridge scored plenty for Bolton when played upfront for them, and was leading scorer for Chelsea when given a run for them under AVB even though he was played out wide and not a 90 min man.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't a one-off.
There is hope. RVP used to be injured every year. He just completed a full season unscathed.
ReplyDeleteI disagree on the point about his scoring run. Sturridge has proved through every club he has been at that he scores a lot per game ratio. This run isn`t a one off in my view.
ReplyDeleteHowever I don`t feel he will become one of the top 10 in the world, purely as he is injured to much. To do that you need to play all season, or at least most of it. Also to me top 10 usually need more about them than what Sturridge has. He scores goals, and lots of them, but rarely more than one per game. I find he often goes missing after scoring, and needs to work on that side of his game. He also lacks flair, which most players in the top ten have. Sturridge is the type of player, who if you have a good mid,wingers who can do the ground work, will get the fowler type of goals you need, but isn`t so good at creating the chances himself. Nothing wrong with that, but to be top ten, I think you need to be a game changer, which Sturridge isnt imo.
I`m not saying he isnt a great player, as he is, and I do rate him highly, just unless he sorts out his injuries, I can`t see him becoming up there with Messi, Bale, Ronaldo or Suarez even.
Any important news going on??
ReplyDeleteAgreed Jay he has a lot to offer the team, but top ten in the World, gimme a break.
ReplyDeleteif he shoots us into top4 he will be replaced but he is prem class not world class like walcott
ReplyDeleteTop ten in the World, no way. But if I was proven wrong I would be extremely happy.
ReplyDeleteSeen a stat the other day, Suarez 23 goals in the EPL last season, wait for it, from 187 shots. Donno if its a fact, but its amazing if it is. Makes the Sturridge form even more impressive.
I'm talking about the current level of goalscoring form, which is very good and its a level of goalscoring form that he hasn't shown before.
ReplyDeleteI'm talking about the current level of goalscoring form, which is very good and its a level of goalscoring form that he hasn't shown before. I don't think he ever reached the current level of goalscoring form at Bolton, Chelsea or City. So hence, in my view, it is a one-off so far, this current goalscoring form.
ReplyDeleteI'm talking about the current level of goalscoring form, the current form JK refers to, which is very good and its a level of goalscoring form that he hasn't shown before. Sorry, if i wasn't clear enough. I don't think he ever reached the current level of goalscoring form at Bolton, Chelsea or City. I don't think he got the same ratio at those clubs. Maybe close but don't think it is the same as the ratio now. Strict I maybe but that is my subjective expectations. So hence, in my view, it is a one-off so far, this current goalscoring form as he hasn't replicated this level of goalscoring form/ratio before.
ReplyDeleteTop 10? That's tough one since that means he'd dislodge a host of players who we consider the best (I refer to Jonny Starrs list).
ReplyDeleteWhat I don't get is how Macca has "always admired" him? He was one of the most infuriating players to watch at Chelsea and I can speak for most of their fans when I say nobody was bothered he left. I, and many other, are having to eat humble pie with the performances he's been producing for us and I will be the first to put up my hand.
But for Macca to claim that he's always been an admirer...c'mon, do less; you're not trying to win a popularity vote here
Being injury-prone has a huge negative impact of a player's career. It had ruined career of the likes of Michael Owen. Anyway, I think DS is still some distance away from the likes of Owen and Fowler in they good hey day. Don't get me wrong, I like DS playing for LFC but I'm extremely frustrated to see a good player like him always getting injured for the slightest reason. Still, it's good to see him getting complimented by one of the game's great, Gary McAllister, a genuine model professional himself. Just wondering if anyone remembers his contribution to LFC's 00-01 season at the good old age of 35-36. These are players that LFC really needs, not-greatly-hyped but seriously good.
ReplyDeletePlaying him for 90 minutes at less than peak fitness is asking for trouble. He was feeling his thigh injury in the warm up against United but still went ahead. The team doctor probably wasn't too keen on the idea but with Suarez already out we had so few options in attack. Hopefully he hasn't majorly aggravated the issue with his playing time - his goals have been so valuable.
ReplyDeleteTop 10 in the world? Not really. I mean he's good and he's brilliant for us right now but I don't think he's really up there with those super-talented players like Suarez, Messi, Ronaldo, Cavani etc. He's got a good shot at good range, great instincts for positioning and links up well, but I don't think he has the same vision as those other players. They see more and have more ability to control a game. Sturridge could get marked out of a game if a team really wanted to.
I still don't buy the "injury prone" tag. To me you become concerned about a player when they seem to come down with a lot muscle strains, tendinitis and other injuries that happen simply from being on a football pitch and running around. Gerrard has struggled with groin injuries, Agger has issues with his back. These are guys that you might call injury prone at various times in your career, they have these physical frailties that come back time and time again. But looking back at Sturridge his last two main injuries have come from contact. His ankle injury was because of a studs up tackle against Ireland. His thigh injury was a cork, another contact injury. It's not a reflection of a player's general physical fitness if he gets clattered by opposition defenders and picks up a lot of direct contact knocks. That's just bad luck. You have no control over what defenders do to you and any player of any level of physical fitness will suffer the same from those kinds of injuries.
Suarez I think is just at a far higher level than everyone else, nothing seems to get to him in terms of injuries. Compare anyone to him and they seem injury prone. He just keeps playing a huge amount of games for club and country and never seems to slow down. Although maybe the occasional forced stint on the sideline gives him that chance to rest.
Yes, Gary was fantastic during that season. I remember his free kicks were really good too. I did not think then that a player of that age can play that well. And mind you, he was a regular in the first team. Amazing guy.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing hampering Sturridge from world class status would be his injuries. Brendan really need to protect him. He just came back from an injury and he has been playing all games. In some games, Brendan can consider playing Aspas in the forward position. But of course, Sturridge is on fire on.
I have agreed with a lot of your articles but I do disagree with this about Sturridge! I think he has all the attributes to be one of the best strikers around! He's got pace, strength, power, close control and is a great finisher from both inside and outside the box. If he can continue his form, stay fit, and improve his work rate a bit he can be one of the best! Also, about him playing in the league cup match, I think BR was looking for the third goal before substituting him, but it went a bit pear shaped and in the end couldn't sub him due to injuries and the teams complacency. He was criticised last season for not starting with his best players before subbing him when the match was won. Anyway I'd definitely start him on Monday! He shown against united he's a match winner even when not fully fit. I'm just glad the match is on Monday to give him a couple more days!
ReplyDeleteNot sure about that mate, i know a lot of Chelsea fans who would have preferred to let Torres go & kept Danny
ReplyDeleteI was thrilled when we got Dan and still feel that way. So far he has not been very durable. All the more reason to have multiple threats so that one man doesn't score all the goals. So far we have been lucky but we have mobility and skill upfront but the guys have to step up, whether Dan is in or out of the lineup. Lets hope one or two guys do so this week...
ReplyDeleteI think Sturridge is a natural scorer, even for ENG age group teams, he scored freely. He is physically strong & well built, but has a tendency of picking soft tissue injuries. This is a problem with some players, regardless of his physical structure. Like it seemed Zidane or Suarez just don't pick injuries, though both of them keeps (or use to keep) ball for long.
ReplyDeleteThere could be 2 out come, gradually Sturridge 'll improve his fitness level (which is possible, till 25, SG used to get lot of injuries) or the club has to play him selected matches.
I think people tend to forget that Sturridge spent some time working with Didier Drogba and it's obvious that he learnt more than a thing or two from him. Top Ten in the world is asking a lot, our two best Englishmen, Gerrard and Rooney don't currently rank in the top ten world players. Can Sturridge get to be as good as those two at their peak? Let's hope so, then we have a real player on our hands, but Liverpool will need to be challenging for the title by the time he does because otherwise the big European teams will come calling.
ReplyDeleteI think it's just me but his left foot shot reminds me a lot of Zidane!!
ReplyDeleteNot saying they're anywhere close as players but the way he shoots with a short backlift is quite unique IMO and he can be deceptively quick. Can be as good as Ibra,Lewandowski or Rooney of that list if given a season with consistent service by the likes of Suarez,Coutinho , Gerrard.
Are you allowed to say black? I think that can get you an 8 match ban mate... :-)
ReplyDeleteWell it would help if he didn't have to play meaningless cup matches when still carrying an injury. That said, next year he should be ready to play 38 games in the league, 10 in the Champions League and the FA Cup final so he better get his body in check!
ReplyDeleteBolton was the only other time that he was consistently started up front in the Premier League and he returned 8 goals from 12 appearances (in a much worse team than Liverpool have).
ReplyDeleteHe had one period where he was given plenty of game-time under AVB for Chelsea (though not upfront) and during the 6 months up to Christmas, he returned 9 games from 13 PL appearances (while playing out wide and regularly being subbed on/off).
I didn't say that he had the exact same numbers previously - I said that he had scored plenty before which should indicate that this form is no fluke
RVP was always injured while at Arsenal. Gerrard was always getting injured in his earlier years at LFC. Sometimes it's just a case of bad luck rather than players being 'injury-prone'
ReplyDeleteI agree you have to be something extremely special to be considered top ten in the world, (and although sturridge is good he's never going to make that list) but not sure that necessarily means flare. Gerrard was definitely considered in that bracket but was never a flare player.
ReplyDeleteMaldini, cafu, cannavaro, puyol - all world class defenders who could rightly claim to have been considered in the top ten players in the world at any one time.
I know what you were trying to say but I think the list of best players will always be more developed than just picking the ten most skillful players at any one time. It has to be based on who wins you games or tournaments, not who scores the goals or entertains the most.
I'm not if he can be one of the top players in the world? I guess if he carries on like he is, then I think he could be classed as one of the top 20 strikers in the world.
ReplyDeleteHis fitness is a concern though, I'm hoping it gets sorted out. Liverpool have seemed like they have been able to sort out Aggers problems, so maybe they can do the same for Sturridge.
It was nice form at Bolton but it wasn't as good as his current form, which is the form JK mentions in his article, thus the form I was basing it on. You replied to my initial but we're looking at it differently. Much ado about nothing I guess.
ReplyDeletethat first big hamstring injury had a big impact on Owen. Since that injury, he was playing with one less hamstring. He argues that 90% of injuries he has had stem from that initial big hamstring injury. Yoikes.
ReplyDeleteDitto. The few I know found him somewhat infuriating with his approach play from wing but they knew he had promise and of course young, as well as Torres was turning into a joke signing for them.
ReplyDeleteNo probs with saying "black" but the general tone of the post is quite disparaging!
ReplyDeleteWell if we're looking purely at the 5 goals from 4 ratio of this early season, rather than the longer term 13 goals from 17 games that Sturridge has achieved since he joined LFC, then I don't think there would be any debate about whether he was world class or not, regardless of any other factors, as Messi and Ronaldo alone can keep up with that sort of goalscoring record over an entire season.
ReplyDeleteMerely maintaining the 0.76 goals/games ratio that he has since joining LFC, through the entire season would keep Sturridge in rarefied territory in and of itself though.
In terms of 'world class' and basing world class on it, I said 'not done it over a long enough period for me to get that hopeful about him', in relation to him being in the top 10. If he can keep it up for a long enough period, great.
ReplyDeleteJay - just to be clear: are you suggesting that Sturridge is world class right now, based on his performance for LFC since January?
ReplyDeleteRight now they would love to have him, but back in January they would have cared less because his previous form suggested he could be good if he worked for the team better and at the time he wasn't.
ReplyDeleteMacca is using hindsight to act like he always knew Sturridge would be this good which is just rubbish. Its the same way people today claim that they "always knew" that Carroll would be terrible; but at the time we bought him, nobody could stop talking about how Carrol and Suarez would be the next Daglish and Rush.
I'm not slating bandwaggoning because I've done that as I wasn't always a fan of Dani until he started banging in the goals for us but, unlike Macca et al, I'm not going to start acting like I knew he was going to be this good. I mean, where was Macca when most people first doubted this transfer?
Jamie Kanwar accusing people of exaggeration, lol pot meet kettle but at least Garry Mac has soon proof to back his claims
ReplyDeleteI think the new fitness coach worked wonders for Agger and gerrard, so hopefully he can be slowly conditioned to become stronger and less injury prone. However that said, some athletes are just more injury probe than others and thru can't help it so we can only hope and pray he stays fit. I for one really never expected him to have such a huge impact on our results, this guy can really score..
ReplyDeletelucas was hardly injury prone he just had two major injuries
ReplyDeleteone of my best mates is a Chelsea fan and he was absolutely gutted that he got sold and after having watched a few Chelsea matches with my mate for the last 2 seasons I was delighted by it. My mates exact words were "Why are we doing you even more favours." (Referencing buying Torres for 50 mil)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they are exceptions in the chelsea crowd who didn't want him to leave but I closely monitored the whole Dani situation when it was happening and the majority of comments from Chelsea fans were nonchallant. Half of the liverpool ones if not more had a reserved caution because 1) they (incl. me) thought we could buy a better striker at the time and 2) his past selfishness was a clear hinderance to his overall game at chelsea.
ReplyDeleteI voiced my concerns on this site when JK wrote an article on the signing and the people who supported my claims were mostly Chelsea fans. 6 months later and those chelsea fans would love him back and I'm eating humble pie although I'm sure your mate wishes the higher ups at Chelsea shared his view ;)
If you are injured a lot, then I take that as injury prone, be it bad luck or not, if your out injured a lot, you are still out.
ReplyDelete