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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 29: Daniel Sturridge of Great Britain scores a goal during the Men’s Football first round Group A Match between Great Britain and United Arab Emirates on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on July 29, 2012 in London, England.
If anything, Daniel Sturridge represents a gamble. A wildcard almost. He has the potential to do very big things, but is one that Brendan Rodgers will have to be wary of thanks to his big personality.
Background
Sturridge can already be considered quite a journeyman in his short career so far, with his career taking him to 5 clubs; Aston Villa, Coventry City, Manchester City, Chelsea FC and Bolton (loan spell). A supremely talented player let down somewhat by his unwillingness to share the ball out with teammates.
Play Style
One word to describe Sturridge’s playing style: selfish. Chelsea fans know it, the Chelsea in his time know it, and you would think that he would know it by now. It is the nature of his game, and it is unlikely that Sturridge is going to change that attitute towards the game anytime soon. Not for Benitez, not for Rodgers and he most certainly didn’t for Andre Villas Boas. It is something Liverpool will have to consider before putting pen to paper on a deal (unless of course Liverpool are really looking for a player up front bent on scoring goals all on his own).
Brilliant
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 31: Daniel Sturridge of Chelsea takes on Michael Keane of Manchester United during the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 31, 2012 in London, England.
The one reason why Liverpool should really get him is because he has ‘magic’. You know, the “It Factor”. The ability to turn games on its head and conjure out something from nothing (what Suarez does, although he does it a bit differently). I reckon that’s what we really need before.
Solving our Wide Forward Issues
Realistically, I think that our wide forward role (even with Borini around) is a very poor department. Stewart Downing and Jonjo Shelvey have been trialed with little success, and I think we need a more direct option compared to Jose Enrique (although he has excelled when given the oppourtunities). Suso is still young and we just need a top calibre player in this position.
Daniel Sturridge will solve the problem and also provide cover for Luis Suarez so that we don’t have to play Shelvey up front on himself. Question marks will be asked as to whether he will want to be played out wide, but I reckon he will definitely improvise if he makes the move. Playing second fiddle to Fernando Torres at Chelsea will definitely play a part, and one would hope that Benitez’s Chelsea connection would perhaps (although it could work against Liverpool FC) help a deal materialise.
