Early season Liverpool player power rankings

11. Daniel Sturridge

Sturridge has found himself on the outside of what seems like Klopp’s best XI at the moment. The front three has been so fluid without him and there really is no reason to change it. There is no doubt about Sturridge’s ability, and we all know about his injury record. He is almost always guaranteed a place in the top 5 PL strikers, but it would be tough to put him there on current form. His zero goals in four starts (367 minutes) makes it easy for Klopp to leave him out, but everyone knows how good Sturridge can be.

Lately, the star has been taking some heat for not performing as well as Firmino, Mane, and Coutinho. Pundit Ray Wilkins has expressed his displeasure in regards to Sturridge’s work ethic and motivation for returning to the starting lineup.  “What Klopp is looking for is for that work ethic to be challenged through the team to try to get the ball back,” Wilkins said. “Daniel is looking at it from the other side. Where can I be? Can I hurt them from here? That’s the way he plays, but he has to get that work ethic to get himself back in this Liverpool team.”

I’m not sure it’s down to work ethic, but the argument that he plays differently from the aforementioned trio is probably valid. At his best, Sturridge can play like the best striker in the Premier League. Like many strikers, they have to be set up in an environment that will help them succeed, and perhaps that is where Sturridge is finding trouble.

He will have a part to play this season I’m sure, but it’s a good problem that the team is performing so well without him in the starting lineup. Firmino has simply been better through the center, and Mane and Coutinho have also outplayed him as part of that deadly attacking triumvirate.