How to solve Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge puzzle

By Rucker Haringey | Jan 26, 2016

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Substitute Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool walks to the bench past Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park on December 6, 2015 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Liverpool are perplexed by the question of what to do with often-injured striker Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool is plagued by the question of how to solve their Daniel Sturridge puzzle. One can only imagine the frustration that manager Jurgen Klopp feels on a daily basis as the media quizzes him about his striker’s availability. He’s a top-shelf talent that seems to be made of glass. How can Liverpool deal with such an enigma?

As Klopp’s mind goes over the question of who is the right striker to play on a weekly basis it must occasionally drift off to consider what could be if Sturridge were fit. Instead, he’s left to choose between the right fit in Roberto Firmino and the more talented player Christian Benteke. Neither of whom is an actual solution to his problem.

The maddening reality for Liverpool and Klopp is that if he were ever fit, Sturridge could be the perfect answer to their striker prayers. He’s got the pace and motor to thrive in the high pressing system Klopp implements and he’s a proven Premier League goal scorer. Of course, he’s shown less durability than a newborn baby over the last three seasons.

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Per transfermarkt.com, the English striker has missed 74 games due to injury over the past three seasons. From hamstring to hip his lower body has broken down more often than a 200-year-old automobile. His lack of fitness makes it impossible for Liverpool to count on him for anything.

Still, the talent level is still there. When he’s on his game he is one of the top handful of strikers in the Premier League. He’s still just 26 years of age so he has several years of his prime left in front of him. It’s not as if Liverpool can simply give up on him. The risk of him coming back to haunt the club is too great.

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That leaves Klopp with a striker than he can neither count on for anything or get rid of. It seems to be an impossible puzzle to solve. What should the German manager do with his fragile striker?

All he can do, is take things slow with Sturridge and that’s exactly what he’s doing at the moment. The Metro reports that Klopp hopes to ease him back into training over the next few weeks to regain his form and fitness. He has to treat Sturridge like a delicate flower if he wants him ever to become a useful part of the squad.

Make no mistake, there’s still a spot for Sturridge in the Liverpool 11. While Firmino has been excellent as of late, he really isn’t the long-term answer as Klopp’s number nine. Benteke has the talent to play for any team in the Premier League, but he’s a fish out of water playing for Klopp. His future almost certainly lies away from Anfield.

That leaves Sturridge with a golden opportunity to seize the striking position. We’ve seen him grab it by the throat for Liverpool before. Don’t forget, it was just a two years ago that he managed to score 21 goals in 29 Premier League matches for the electric Brendan Rodgers-led squad that almost won the Premier League title. Granted, Luis Suarez isn’t there to help any longer, but he still has the capability to score goals by the bushel.

The only other alternative would be to give up on Sturridge entirely which is a plan riddled with danger. One can only imagine the outrage if Sturridge suddenly regained his fitness as soon as he arrived elsewhere and went on a goal scoring spree. It would be a significant blow, even for Klopp who has an astounding amount of credibility with the Anfield faithful.

That’s just not a risk the former Dortmund manager should be willing to take. Even if they were able to receive a respectable fee for Sturridge, which I believe is possible despite his injury history, it’s not worth the public relations risk. They’re better served to hold on to him and watch him rot on their bench as opposed to giving him a chance to succeed elsewhere.

Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have no choice but to stay the course as it relates to Sturridge. The German manager must handle the English striker like a new-born foal in hopes of restoring his fitness and confidence for a Liverpool run to the Premier League finish line.

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