The first home game of the season at Anfield was a resounding success in the end. Jurgen Klopp had chosen to train the team at Anfield in the week prior to their fixture against reigning champions Leicester City, and in the end, the move paid off as Liverpool ran riot. The home game which finished with a 4-1 score line finished in favour of the hosts, with Roberto Firmino bagging a brace alongside goals from Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana.
Before the international break, Daniel Sturridge had some reservations about his role with the current Liverpool side, having been played out on the wing by Klopp. These reservations had led to the striker airing his dissent in public which was rebutted by the coach as the team’s requirements prevail over an individual requirement.
Also read: EPL 2016-17: Liverpool 4-1 Leicester - 5 talking points
The message was loud and clear from the German about who was the boss at Anfield. A position on the bench at the Tottenham game, led to Sturridge’s furious face being captured by tv cameras as Divock Origi entered the game before him. The international hiatus couldn’t have come sooner and it seems time apart form Anfield has led to better communication and less confrontation.
Daniel Sturridge – A natural finisher
There is no doubt that Sturridge is the best finisher at Liverpool and who knows even in the league. But he has to accept that in Klopp’s team, where the German demands a work rate that requires a lot of movement, Sturridge doesn’t always do enough to guarantee a regular start. The host of clear chances which were inexplicably missed by Coutinho and Firmino led to Klopp starting Sturridge over the weekend.
Klopp is aware of the Englishman’s skills and the finish in a losing cause against Sevilla in the Europa League is a testament to the wizardry that the forward can conjure when granted the tiniest bit of space. Klopp’s philosophy of pressing has often left the forward not a natural choice.
The player seems to be a part of the action only when his own team have the ball. This in effect makes Sturridge a passenger for most part of the game. This in effect makes both the individuals at odds.
Speaking after the last game against Tottenham, Klopp maintained that he hadn’t given up on the Sturridge was heard singing praises of the striker, “Daniel Sturridge is a wonderfully skilful player but for this game I made the decision that this kind of defending was what we needed,”. The German had also acknowledged the fitness level of the striker was not up to the mark reiterating the fact that the pre-season wasn’t perfect for the forward.
Sturridge – In a new role
The German’s decision to start with Sturridge in a 4-4-1-1 formation, allows both forwards freedom to move about the pitch. The English striker started in place of Philippe Coutinho in the game against Leicester.
Recent debates were laid to rest, especially when one views the opening goal. The lead up to the goal which had resulted in Sturridge tracking back to break a Leicester attack before joining Liverpool’s attack where he made an unselfish run on the left to take the attention away from Firmino. As a result, Milner’s accurate pass ensured that the Brazilian applied the finish to a beautiful free-flowing move.
As the game went on, the 27-year-old was seen taking up positions everywhere in the pitch, which made it difficult for the Leicester defenders to effectively track him. This confusion was more so prevalent in the making of the second goal where he made the run to pick up Henderson’s pass and then set up Mane with a wonderfully executed back heel that extended Liverpool’s lead.
The performance also gives Klopp the option to use Sturridge’s world class finishing skills. Klopp’s team have already displayed in their early performances that they have a very fluid system in place which can hurt teams on the break as well as through open play. The boxes of possession football were also ticked by the team in their performance against Burnley.
The forward doesn’t have to look further than James Milner and Henderson who, as teammates, have played a litany of positions over the course of their careers. On Saturday afternoon, Lucas Leiva who stepped in the centre of defence in place of Dejan Lovren was another example of the collective interests prevailing over individual interest.
Stamford Bridge beckons
The defeat for Leicester meant that Liverpool now go into the game against Chelsea on Friday night as slight favourites. The London side dominated the game against Swansea City but were left ruing their luck after they failed to convert the chances in front of the goal. Though Diego Costa ensured that they grabbed a late equaliser, it is the probable absence of John Terry which will be a bigger concern.
Sturridge’s adaptability has ensured that he can fit into Klopp’s philosophy of the pressing system. Last season, Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners at the Bridge, with Coutinho rising to the occasion with two splendidly taken goals, before Benteke applied the finishing touch on what was an abject defensive display from the Blues.
Liverpool’s away form comprises of a win, a draw and a loss, against the likes of Arsenal, Spurs and Burnley. Trips to London for the Merseyside club has already yielded a total of 4 points from 2 games and Klopp will hope to pick up more points in this early season fixture.
Sturridge who was at Chelsea before moving to Liverpool in 2013 knows that his performance on Saturday should not be a one-off event and will hope to get on the score-sheet at his former club’s home ground. The Englishman is yet to open his account this season in the League having scored a brace against Burton in the League Cup.
Goals to kick off his campaign against Chelsea will only get sweeter for both Klopp and the player. Klopp has faith in the skill of his player and his hard ball tactics has led to the player adapting his playing style to be a part of something exciting which Klopp is looking to build. Sturridge has chosen to be a part of it already thanks to his unselfish play during the weekend; hopefully, he will make the transition to becoming an integral part of the Reds squad.
