20 Nov 2013

Striker Fail? - According to Gerrard, £12m Sturridge is not a 'top class forward'...right?

Earlier this week, Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard placed massive pressure on Daniel Sturridge to 'prove to everyone' that he is a 'top class forward' for England. Well, the Reds' €12m striker failed to have much impact against Germany last night, so using Gerrard's logic, he surely can't be classed as 'top class'...right?

Speaking to the press ahead last night's pitiful 1-0 loss to Germany, Gerrard told Sky Sports:

"The stage is set for Daniel to go on and prove it to everyone that he's a top-class forward.

"You talk about his partnership with Wayne Rooney. The difference is Wayne's done it, Daniel's got to go and do it now. He's certainly got the talent."


Sturridge had an off-day against Germany, which means he failed to 'prove' that he's a top-class forward.

Of course, that's nonsense - Sturridge is clearly an excellent striker - but thanks to Gerrard, that's the message that will be burrowing into the subconscious of many people today. Indeed, Sturridge's performance is being slammed by the media today, with (amongst others) The Guardian calling his anticipation 'poor', the BBC criticising his 'over-elaboration', and Sky Sports labelling his performance 'disappointing'.

Gerrard's kiss of death certainly didn't have any kind of galvanising effect on Sturridge. In fact, it was inevitable that Sturridge would struggle after the unhelpful build up from Gerrard. Similarly, in January, Gerrard and Brendan Rodgers both publicly stated that the striker is on his 'last chance' at LFC, and in my view, those pointless comments had no impact either. Sturridge just needed regular game-time, and that's what he got.

To paraphrase the movie 'Field of Dreams' - If you play him, he will score.

One thing I neglected to pick up on yesterday is Gerrard's comment that Wayne Rooney has 'done it' for England. What utter nonsense. Yes, the Man United forward scored a few goals against sub-par teams in qualifying, but when it comes to the crunch, he is an abject failure when it comes to international tournaments, and his total lack of impact at World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 proves this.

Rooney did nothing against Germany last night, either, so next time, perhaps Gerrard should turn his high-powered perception on his Man United mate.

I don't support England, but I seriously can't wait till every last remnant of the failed 'golden generation' is put out to pasture. England are never going to progress until Gerrard, Cole, Rooney and the rest of England's perennial under-performers are exiled from the team.

Gerrard and co have had countless chances and failed every time. It's time to completely overhaul the team and start from scratch (IMO).

Author:


58 comments:

  1. Its obvious Sturridge isnt a top class striker yet, you cant reach that title in one season or with just some goals scored, he has a lot to learn and work more but hes certainly on the way, as for golden generation waiting to retire I agree but not on gerrard as well, I think hes unfortunate to play with under very stupid managers at england and around with many lazy useless players plus hes played all his life as a DM for england so what could have he done? and england never had a top class manager either every new manager they appoint is worse than the previous one, you see what Woy is doing to them, I expect england to go out in the group stage, feel sorry for Stevie but thats the reality, very unlucky to play in lfc and england where there was never a top class manager or players around him.

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  2. Fabio Capello is a top class manager, surely?

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  3. Where did Gerrard say that Sturridge is not a top class forward?


    In another recent interview Gerrard claimed that Sturridge is the best striker England has produced for a very long time.


    Who cares what the media have to say. Just about every high profile footballer gets their name dragged through the mud via the media in one way or another. Nothing new to report here...

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  4. Being pedantic again, I see. Gerrard stated Sturridge had to 'prove' that he's a 'top class forward' against Germany. He had a poor game, ergo it follows that according to Gerrard's logic, Sturridge is not a top class forward.

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  5. Every time you there's a televised match, domestic or international, you get "High Profile" players dragged in front of the cameras to give an opinion. Quite often the poor sods are out of their depth. They didn't have aspirations of being pundits, journo's or any other form of media parasite. They just wanted to play football and were blessed with skills better than their peers. Gerrard, doubtless falls into this camp. He therefore spouts the usual cliches that fulfill the "media" remit. Journo's think of the questions, phrase the questions, ask the questions. Gerrard and the vast majority of the generic footballer model respond in a well rehearsed and comfortable way that we all recognise and expect. For better or worse.
    Then lazy Hack comes along. Desparate for an angle, he invents an objectional point of view and proceeds to pontificate upon it like it's fact. such as (quote)"that's the message that will be burrowing into the subconcious of many people today."
    Will it? How do you qualify that assumption? Do you have the ability to speak for a nation? That would be an arrogant position to take wouldn't it. I know what your thinking....Reality is so boring though.
    Gerrard is not a mighty oracle spouting predictions. He isn't nostradamus peering into the future. He play's football........better than you write articles. Fact.

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  6. Not everybody will look at Gerrard's comments the same way as you do so not everyone will agree with you that Gerrard meant that Sturridge is not a top class forward.

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  7. Jesus, what is your problem? Always the same schtick. Stop telling me what I already know. Obviously people look at things differently - I've never argued otherwise, and never suggested that people see things the same way as me.

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  8. Sturridge did have a disappointing game considering his 'proven' (LFC performances & goals tally) ability & talent, but it's hardly surprising as he's carrying an injury & didn't train last week & only did half a session before the game. What was surprising, in view of this, was that RH played him for the full 90 mins. Not a great managerial decision IMO. Which brings me to my second point, I agree with Selefist that England's failures have had a lot to do with poor managers & I include RH in that. Harry Rednapp would have been a great choice to break that mould but alas, the faces at the FA deemed he wasn't squeaky clean enough & went for the dull & up inventive Roy, so no change there. Finally I think Stevie was speaking in a spirit of bigging Daniel up & not being critical or doubtful of his ability. Unlike Rooney he is newly getting established on the England scene & will hopefully prove to be immense going forward.

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  9. Rooney has proven himself by consistently scoring in the PL for over 4 seasons and winning the PL and CL along with that. Is that too hard to understand?
    If Gerrard says that Rooney has proved himself and Sturridge hasn't then he is probably right.
    Plus you thought Ferguson was right when he said Gerrard is not top class, well if Gerrard isn't then Sturridge definitely is not one.
    And being LFC and England captain it is perfectly fine for Gerrard to expect his leading striker to be world class. Why so much negativity for Gerrard?

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  10. Sturridge is yet to prove himself on the International stage. Do you seriously think Gerrard his captain is out to downgrade his own players?


    I wonder why Mourinho was so angry when Sturridge was sold to us. He probably also thinks Sturridge is not a top class forward.

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  11. "The stage is set for Daniel to go on and prove to everyone that he's a top-class forward," this is what Gerrard said. I think your being a little pedantic because Sturridge has to prove himself over time NOT in that game. i dont think one game defines a player.

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  12. Yes, I find the negativity expressed toward Gerrard in this article perplexing.

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  13. Not for me, Im surprised he is for you, even if he is everybody knew he wont do anything being italian and playing fully italian style with england, that was never going to work with heskey being untouchable in his line up that says it all I think..

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  14. I never said Gerrard intended to 'downgrade' Sturridge. It doesn't matter what his personal intention was; he put pressure on Sturridge when it wasn't necessary.

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  15. I have a different view to Gerrard than you. Is that okay? If you can't handle that, tough luck.

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  16. Also, his inability to speak English caused communication problems with the squad. Not great.

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  17. Sturridge has been in good form but is yet to prove he's CL/WORLD class.
    He has looked second best compared to our genuine WC player, but could develop.
    If Suarez is the benchmark(which he is), then he leaves most players trailing in his wake.

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  18. Gerrard was asked a question about Sturridge. What did you expect Gerrard to say?

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  19. His record prior to England proves unequivocally that he's a top manager. You don't win 7 league titles (with three different clubs) and the Champions League if you're an average manager.

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  20. I'm not getting into yet another pointless, pedantic cul-de-sac 'debate' with you.

    You don't even know the question Gerrard was asked, do you?

    He was *not* asked anything related to his comments about Sturridge. A journo didn't say 'is it now time for Sturridge to prove he's a top class player'. There was no question related to that - Gerrard was asked a generic question about Sturridge, and began by saying he was 'surprised' Chelsea let him go. He segued into his comment about proving himself without prompting, and of his own accord.

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  21. I have listened to the interview and to in no way does it sound to me that Gerrard was heaping pressure onto Sturridge.


    Sturridge himself knows the World Cup is around the corner and it is a matter of fact that Sturridge needs to prove himself on the International stage.


    If Sturridge cannot handle pressure as you suggest from Gerrard then he should not be allowed to play at the World Cup next year.

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  22. Not a top class International Manager.
    Internationally, one might easily argue that he is a failure..

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  23. I think we are not expecting some positive results against Germany right? Anyway, it was just a meaningless friendly. Not sure about the intention of SG's 'inspirational' speech. In any case, the best part of things was that all 3 LFC players, SG, DS & JH, came away uninjured. Now we should concentrate on the derby match instead. LFC is going to have a tough schedule from now till New Year. We will have a much clearer picture of where LFC stands at the start of the new year.

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  24. No he didn't. He said he had a CHANCE to prove that he was top class.

    He didn't say it was the acid test of whether or not he was.

    You are making (another) mighty mountain out of a throwaway comment on Sturridge's chance to score against on of the top 3 or 4 international sides.

    Seems that only you see it as pressure. Gerrard simply pointed out an opportunity. Even if DS had scored, that still wouldn't have been the arbiter of him being top class or not. Just a noteworthy bit of the jigsaw.

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  25. Danny didn't score against in a friendly against Germany, so that means he failed to prove he's not a top class forward?


    Have we really gotten to the point where you're using an essentially meaningless friendly to prove that Gerrard's comments put too much pressure on Sturridge to perform?


    I'm not an England fan, and while I like to see the LFC players do well for their respective countries, all I care about is that they come out of these international breaks unscathed. My guess is that most fans (including you, JK) feel the same especially in these friendlies.


    Putting you aside, I think it will be hard to find many other fans who will use Stevie's quotes against Sturridge as a way to pile on Danny's performance.


    In fact, the newspaper quotes you reference seem to be talking about his specific play, which would be the case regardless of Stevie's quote or not.

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  26. Yes, just ignore the main part of the comment. Gerrard also compared Sturridge to Rooney, and said 'he's got to do it'. The whole point here is Gerrard did not need to challenge Sturridge in any way. It wasn't necessary; the question asked didn't beget the answer given, and there's absolutely no benefit to putting extra pressure on an individual player.

    As usual, Gerrard displayed his arrogance by deigning to challenge one of his fellow players. Why? If anyone should be doing that it's the manager. Show me another example in international football where a national captain says similar things in public about one of his team-mates. It doesn't happen.

    Gerrard seems to think that his status gives him the right to say whatever he wants, and he's displayed that regularly throughout his entire career. Whether it's dissing his own team mates in his book (Diouf and Diao, when they were *still* at Anfield), or stuff like this, his ego takes over common sense.

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  27. I was expressing my opinion about the article in an honest expression of what I felt, having read the snipping article. In wich Jamie K feels free to snipe at Gerrard. Don't you appreciate freedom of expression ?

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  28. Until English players can settle abroad, more than one out two internationals, we only have premier league players to choose from. As good as the PL is, technically its not the best. We need a larger gene pool to be able to pick from. We must be one of very few nations whose players solely come from the home league. If we had players in Spain, Germany, Italy etc, potentially that will help mix it up a bit. Look at the other top teams and you have players coming from all over the place.

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  29. If anything, when he compared Danny to Rooney, he's saying that Danny can learn from Rooney and that he has the talent required to become that good.


    If you want to argue that he did not need to "challenge" him, that's fine. It's your opinion and you're entitled to it.


    I personally do not see it as a challenge.


    More of a matter of fact statement that simply states, if Danny wants to become one of the best strikers in the world, he has both the talent and the opportunity to get that done.

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  30. Did you have my comment pulled because you couldn't defend yourself against it? I'm sorry if I've hurt your feelings, that wasn't my intention. I meerly wanted to give you a chance to defend your attack on Gerrard if you could. I didn't realise I would find you wanting.

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  31. You can express whatever opinion you like, but when you start including irrelevant comments that just amount to sniping/belittlement, then it breaks the comment guidelines. I'm not interested in what you think about the quality of my articles. Stick to giving your views in a civil manner, or go somewhere else.

    It amazes me that people still don't get it after all this time. This site is for CIVIL, respectful debate about football. If you want to snipe/slag off people in a personal manner, there are plenty of other LFC sites where that sort of thing is allowed.

    It has nothing to do with freedom of expression. Additionally, I was not 'sniping' at Gerrard in any way. I had an opinion, and backed it up with credible reasoning. Just because you disagree doesn't mean it's sniping. There's no personal element whatsoever.

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  32. If I was the manager I would tell Daniel to shoot more often and from anywhere - he has a rasping shot - easily the best in our squad.

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  33. What use was Rooney to Daniel he was no where near him or the danger areas for that matter, He got no service.

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  34. Hard to say whether Gerard's comments were a hindrance but they certainly didn't help. I was a little disappointed in his performance then I remembered I didn't care. As long as he performs at the weekend like.

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  35. In fairness Jaimie he said he could do it and that he has to do it now he has a chance rather than him "having" (paraphrase) to do it against Germany. I don't read that to mean that not doing it in one game means he is not a top class player. I don't think you think that either.

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  36. I'm not ignoring anything.
    I'm refuting a specific point that you made, and I've yet to see anyone else who thinks SG made DS's position any different than it was before.
    You do, fair enough. But your 'credible evidence' is wholly insufficient to support your assertion of pressure imo

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  37. You've refuted nothing. And who cares if other people agree with my view? That's not the issue. The validity of an opinion is not determined by the number of people who agree with it. Once upon a time, most of the word thought the earth was flat.

    In any event, it's not really an 'opinion' that Gerrard put pressure on Sturridge. Looking at the situation objectively, it's arguably a fact. If X publicly challenge Y to achieve standard Z, then that is putting added pressure on Y.

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  38. Agree with you. As long as Sturridge does the business for LFC, that's all I care about.

    As you say, Gerrard's comments made no positive difference to Sturridge, so why make the statement in the first place?

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  39. Rooney and Sturridge need to do a lot more work to make this a viable partnership. Rooney likes to drop off to the left and Sturridge likes to drop off to the right. A few times it was happening at the same time, so there was no real presence in the central area, especially with no midfield runners.




    Rooney has proven it on club level time and time again (just like Stevie himself), so in that regard Gerrard is right, he is a excellent proven PL striker but in terms of international level. he and Gerrard himself wouldn't be missed from the international team if they weren't playing. So in that regard, in relation to international stage, who cares if Rooney (and co) is a lot more established than Sturridge at club level. When it comes to England selection, I'm all for new blood, even if it is a little too early for some, as had enough of the golden lot a good while ago. But even then, there are fundamental problems with England team, whether it be the golden lot or the new blood. Whether you have Rooney or Sturridge up front, there will still be the same fundamental problems that have plagued the team for years.




    Lost count of the number of England managers that have tried for long periods with Gerrard-Lampard in midfield. That has annoyed me more than anything else about England team selection over the years.

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  40. certainly a top class club manager, if not a international one.


    Most managers would find it hard with the fundamental problems of the England team/culture. Yes, that includes our Gerrard.

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  41. Who else would you have put in goal at the time?


    Hart was a puppy then. So who else? Robert Green? Kirkland? Carson?

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  42. I was on here saying that perhaps Gerrard thought it would fire him up. Perhaps that is the case, perhaps he just spoke his mind. We don't know.



    I know you say it was unnecessary pressure Jaimie but the England team does that anyway. The media go bananas about England and the players and none of that pressure is necessary. I don't think it's all that bad that Gerrard said it as it's no worse than he will get if he plays for them regularly. I am not saying it wasn't added pressure I am just saying that it is the kind of thing professionals just have to get used to or they will never reach the heights that all of them want.



    I take it your not professional? ;p

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  43. I think the midfield runners was noticeable. Townsend is like a one/two trick pony and that didn't work well with Sturridge I think.Having said that there were runs and positions that Sturridge should have taken and didn't and I found that a little disappointing. That one almost link up between him and Henderson was heartening though.

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  44. Wow...these international breaks sure are tough...there must be something interesting here but I can't figure out what it is...the only thing that comes close is learning that the author doesn't support England but apparently would if the first team were no longer first. I'm not sure what countless challenges refer to, but top of group H, no losses in WC qualifying, and on to Brazil makes '...failed every time' sound a might hyperbolic.

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  45. Your post is bordering on sniping. Another like this and it will be deleted.

    Oh, and I'd never support England under any circumstances. I'm Scottish, and I grew up in Germany, so I support Scotland and Germany.

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  46. Sorry...but what is 'failed every time' about a team who qualified for WC14 at the top of their group if not sniping?

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  47. That is not sniping at all. There is no personal element. Sniping contains a personal element, usually against an individual. As I said, any further posts like that will be deleted.

    The 'golden generation' has abjectly failed at every major tournament.

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  48. It was personal. You said 'Gerrard and co'...that's about as personal as it gets and it was a cheap shot at a successful team that has been successful because they have gone to every WC finals in the 'Gerrard and co' generation. Your comment is the textbook definition of sniping. Must be the dark glasses.

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  49. I don't think there was anywhere near enough and it showed in the lack of penetrative in-roads in the last third, let alone lack of chances. At least should have been more in the first half. For all that possession, the midfield and the forwards rarely combined in a penetrative or mobile way. We didn't move the Germans about anywhere enough. There was better movement from our full backs and they weren't that great either, although some of that isn't their fault.

    Not fond of the 4-4-2 on the international stage and certainly not in the way we went about it, especially with such a incohesive front pairing.

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  50. Guys...it was a friendly...don't draw too many conclusions.

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  51. True, a friendly but a lot of symptoms shown in that game could be seen time and time again over the last several years.

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  52. Yes it is...for the exact reason mentioned in my comment you deleted. You can do that if you want...you're the author here...but in fairness you ought to delete your whole article for the same reason.

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  53. I don't mind if you have a different view, my problem is your view is not consistent.
    Let's say the reporter asks Gerrard:
    "Sturridge is the top scorer in the league. Do you think he is world class?"
    Then Gerrard can either say yes or no.
    If he says yes then you'll blame him for pointless fawning(as you have done in the past) and now that he has said not yet(which I think is right) you blame him for piling pressure on Sturridge.
    So what has the guy got to do?

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  54. And Glen Johnson, most important player for us after Suarez and Sturridge.

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  55. I hope that Sturridge will develop to the point where he just don't cares. I hope he shuts off his twitter and stop reading every stupid quote and shite article and just play.

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  56. Strange. I deleted this to make it part of my other post.

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  57. I'd even stretch to Bentiez

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