7 Feb 2015

Redknapp raves: 'Exceptional' £29m goal-machine can 'make the difference' for Liverpool

On Friday, Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge made a public-plea to Brendan Rodgers to start him in this evening's Merseyside Derby, but after such a long injury absence, is it a good idea throw Sturridge - who is not fully match-fit - into such a frenetic, physical game. According to ex-Red Jamie Redknapp, it shouldn't even be a question.

When asked on Friday about his chances of starting the Derby, 'excited' Sturridge told reporters:

“I feel I’m ready to start. I’ve had a week and a bit’s worth of training as well as the two games I’ve come on in and played a part. I’m looking forward to playing 90 minutes and performing as best as I can.”

Redknapp agrees, and speaking to Sky Sports on Friday, he urged Rodgers to put Sturridge in the starting XI:

"Sturridge is such an exceptional player that I believe he can make the difference. There comes a time when you’ve got to take the risk and play him. If he feels fit and sharp, Rodgers has got to unleash him".

Sturridge knows exactly what he's doing, here. He's basically put indirect pressure on Rodgers to start him against Everton, and to be honest, it's a bit of a shady trick. It'll incite fan unrest if Rodgers dares to leave him out, and that will intensify if Liverpool lose with Sturridge on the bench.

Rodgers has to remain strong, though. £29m-rated Sturridge is not the best judge of his own readiness, and even if he thinks he can handle 90 minutes, the manager has to take an overview, and do what's best for the team, not the individual.

For me, that means leaving Sturridge on the bench, as there's no urgent or compelling need to start him against Everton:

* Liverpool have lost only once in thirteen games, and in that time, the team has proved that it can win games and perform well without Sturridge.

* The Reds have players available to cover Sturridge. Sterling is on a roll up-front, as is Coutinho behind him, and there's no need to disrupt their momentum.

* It's a good thing that Liverpool can play well and win without Sturridge, and given his constant absences, the development of that habit is essential.

* Redknapp claims that Rodgers needs to take a 'risk' here, but given the club's current form, there's absolutely no need to take any risks whatsoever.

In my view, Liverpool should hold Sturridge back for as long as the team keeps winning. If that means he remains an impact sub for the next month, then so be it.

If the team is drawing/losing the game 10 minutes into the second half, then bring Sturridge on. If not, keep him on the bench until the final quarter of the game.

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42 comments:

  1. Should he? Well our medical staff, Brendan Rodgers and Daniel himself are/were discussing it for hours/days and if they made the decision they still don't know is it the right one. Nobody will know that till Daniel walks off the pitch. And walking off can be just my wishfull thinking..
    So let's vote...

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  2. Quite right. I would also use SG as an impact sub. but only if necessary. I think that SG has also 'put indirect pressure on Rodgers to start him against Everton,' with all the sentiment flying around this being his last derby.

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  3. I don't agree that we shouldn't start him until we start losing. With so many matches in such a small space of time we need to rotate. Also, although the current team has been winning, facing tottenham for instance will be a greater challenge than West Ham. We need to field our strongest team for such games and take the initiative. I would rather sub him off if he is not proving effective than start with a less potent unit. Arguably our strongest attacking would feature sturridge, sterling and coutinho with moreno and markovic on the flanks and henderson lucas holding. We could then bring on Gerrard for Sturridge if we saw Sturridge's intensity wane. We must however try to sieze the initiative in such games.

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  4. Steven Gerrard earned his spot in the starting eleven. If he thinks he should play- he should, and shouldn't be subbed unless he wants to. No player is bigger than the club, but honouring our players is what makes us big.

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  5. As you say,'No player is bigger than the club'

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  6. There is no need to play Danny in the game. This will be an open game and with our players in form, the chances will come. Our defence needs to cope well. The biggest worry is that Lucas might miss the game. Also, Lazar might be injured. Then, BR has two huge decisions to make. Will he play GJ or Ibe or Manqui? And, will he play Lovren in the three and Can in the middle. He has to be very careful.

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  7. Nevertheless he should start if he thinks he should. And every true fan of this club should want to see one of the greatest skippers in our history(and history of the sport) lead us in one last darby, even if it is a defeat...

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  8. I think I know BR's reasoning so it is GJ, but who knows, be brought Ibe back, maybe he'll make the right decision...

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  9. If we play GJ and Lovren together, it will be back to where we were before. I so hope Ibe plays because he will provide us that pace we need. He started Flanno last year and hopefully, he will do the same with Ibe.

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  10. He is one of our best ever players. As he himself stated in a recent interview, he would have liked to have played under BR at his prime - I think he said 26/27. A great skipper does what's best for the team. Haven't we learnt that his effectiveness decreases a few days after playing 90 minutes?
    Of course, I would like him to score and win us the game, but there are better alternatives for the first 60 minutes.

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  11. A great skipper does what's best for the team, yes and it would be amazing if he told BR 'I can't play all 90, do what is the best for the team'. But put yourself in that position, you wouldn't say that. And all I am saying if he doesen't. he should play.

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  12. With BR there appears to be more chance of Joe Allen starting a game than Stevie G or Dan S. Unfathomable .

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  13. Orme, If I was in his position, I would be gutted if left out of the the starting 11 - I agree. Surely though, if he is capable of been effective after the mid-week game, then he would not have been moved on to galaxy.

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  14. He is not capable of been effective after the mid-week game, BUT.. My point is not to use logic, though you are right with every argument you make.

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  15. Raheem Sterling is leaving , i think LFC should do all they can to sign Lacazette and Depay to replace him

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  16. Its bloody ridiculous that we even need to be discussing this. Sturridge has been plagued with injuries for as long as hes been at the club and it is unbelievable we need to rely on him to score our goals for us. Yes weve won in his absence but none of it has been rely comfortable because you never know if were going to score. Hes been out injured for months and now we'll have to wait even langer because he might get hurt. He might get hurt walking down the street so either he is fit or he isnt. I say play him. Take him off after an hour if needed but our striker needs to play.

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  17. Starting against Everton is never a good idea when coming back from a injury, it's always a feisty one.

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  18. I will be more worry who should play to contain lukaku

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  19. Dark Knight Rises....

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  20. *Yawns*... *smacks lips*.... *reaches for coffee*.

    So... any football on today like?

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  21. Be nice if Spurs and the Arse draw and we win ...

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  22. LOGAN...


    One ongoing benefit for Liverpool is that the deal only covers playing and training kit.

    That means the club have full control over non-branded merchandise such as clothes from their fashion range.

    Prior to Liverpool linking up with Warrior, Adidas had the rights to sell the club’s products abroad.

    The Reds only received a percentage of sales and were restricted from opening up club stores.



    So far percentage, now even more. And let's not forget personalized zippo lighters, doormats, pencils etc...

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  23. I'd rather he play the first 60 than the last 30. If we're not winning by then, he stays on.

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  24. Nothin worth talkin about til 5.30

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  25. Danny bloody Wellback just ate Rose.. I had hopes for Spurs....

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  26. So...there will be branded merchandise AND non-branded, whereas previously there was no non-branded at all?

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  27. What do we prefer? Draw or Spurs win?

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  28. Harry Kane you superstar

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  29. I hope I don't get chastised for gross exaggeration

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  30. Spurs look the real deal. Harry kane, Ryan Mason and Danny Rose all their own. Liverpool need some more players that come from the city and develop there. We only have Flanagan now Gerrard is leaving.

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  31. Encouraging thing for liverpool is Kane,Townsden,Mason,Bentelab, Rose
    all developed under one Alex Inglethorp

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  32. Nothing changes for us we need to win and keep winning

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  33. All clubs honour their players. We are not unique in that respect.
    What we shouldn't do is honour them by allowing them to dictate the terms of their playing.

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  34. Well, Atleti up 2-0 vs Real. That's good, right?

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  35. some players dont have the same impact coming of the bench, i feel gerrard would b betr comin off than being brought on

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  36. Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Lucas, Henderson, Gerrard, Moreno, Ibe, Coutinho, Sterling

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  37. Ok am liking Ibe getting a go

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  38. Pleased Ibe is being given a chance - super impact sub Studge to come on later to replace Stevie

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  39. Ibe was excellent against Everton. Would anyone put Borini in the squad ahead of Ibe? Seriously?

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