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Liverpool should turn to Sturridge after Coutinho transfer

By Alexander Puri

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool scores his sides third goal during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Liverpool FC and NK Maribor at Anfield on November 1, 2017 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool scores his sides third goal during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Liverpool FC and NK Maribor at Anfield on November 1, 2017 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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In January of 2013, a struggling Liverpool side brought in the likes of Phillipe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge to the side and with the help of the two signings, steadily climbed their way up the table.

The next season, Luis Suarez grabbed most of the headlines with some truly astonishing performances as Liverpool finished just 2 points off of champions Manchester City, but after his departure, many expected the center of the team to be Daniel Sturridge. After all, despite multiple absences from the team with injury, the striker did net over twenty league goals.

Yet, it was Coutinho who left for a fee of over $140 million rather than the Englishmen. Few agree that such a fee is consistent with his quality, but he has been incredibly significant to his side over the last few years.

Meanwhile, Sturridge’s career has stalled since Suarez left. He remained an essential player and performed well, but was rarely able to feature due to multiple lengthy injuries and his side’s struggles without him in the team sheet did not help Brendan Rodgers’s case when he was sacked.

After Jurgen Klopp was appointed, it has not been primarily injuries that have kept Sturridge out of the lineup, but Klopp’s preferences. Klopp has preferred Firmino, and even Dominik Solanke to the striker in many of his selections, even despite the striker’s availability.

And Liverpool have hardly missed him. It goes without saying that Liverpool’s attack has been superb over the last two seasons with the likes of Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Phillipe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino and these players have contributed a handful of goals each. Sturridge however, has played a small part in Klopp’s tenure.

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However, now that Phillipe Coutinho has departed, it may make sense for Klopp to try to integrate Sturridge back into the side. Liverpool’s attack shouldn’t struggle too much despite Coutinho’s departure. They have been excellent in attack without him in the team sheet this season and scored four goals in fixtures against Arsenal, Manchester City, and Hoffenheim. They still have plenty of talent going forward. And Sturridge can add to this talent.

He was vital to Liverpool’s title challenge under Brendan Rodgers with over twenty goals to his name that season and kept an impressive scoring record under the Irishman despite numerous injuries. He provides a deadly pace as well as some outstanding skill and finishes. It is rather unfortunate for him that his style of play does not suit Klopp’s approach.

However, if Klopp can manage to integrate Sturridge into the side, Coutinho’s absence may not interfere with the side to as high a degree. Liverpool shouldn’t have too many problems up front, but Coutinho did afford Klopp the ability to rotate his players and his transfer now creates problems in that regard.

Liverpool were able to field a talented lineup and still keep key players on the bench. This becomes difficult without Coutinho, but Sturridge can offer not only quality in the attacking third, but the opportunity to rest players.

Next: Liverpool need to forget Thomas Lemar

Sturridge and Klopp’s styles are certainly far from a perfect match. However, as Liverpool challenge for the Champions League and a top four finish, Sturridge’s ability could come in handy.

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