Sturridge: Deco inspired my chipped finish against West Brom

Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge believes he has become a much more confident player since arriving at Anfield from Premier League rivals Chelsea at the beginning of the year.

The striker has been in red hot form for the Reds in 2013 and already has eight goals for the 2013/14 campaign, including some spectacular efforts.

Indeed, the Englishman himself has highlighted the lob against West Bromwich Albion as one he is particularly proud of.

“In the past I wouldn’t have gone for that; maybe I would have cut back or tried to play someone in, or took a normal shot,” Sturridge told Liverpool’s official website. ”But when you feel more comfortable and confident you do try things you maybe wouldn’t have done.

“Now I’m more comfortable and doing things off the cuff again. With the chip I just looked up and thought: ‘I’m going to go for it.’

“I learned that one from Deco at Chelsea, where he’d do it a lot in training. It’s started coming off for me, too, and it’s important to try things.

“Sometimes you have to try these things and play without risk. As a youngster that’s how it was: you tried to express yourself out on the pitch as much as you can.”

Sturridge’s effort against West Brom came from a particularly messy passage of play as Liverpool gave away the ball three times, but the striker picked the ball up to lob the goalkeeper from long-range.