Daniel Sturridge might be shooting blanks in the Premier League but the 27-year-old striker certainly has found his boots in the EFL Cup. The former Chelsea striker started in the game against Tottenham and scored a brace to take Liverpool into the quarterfinals.
The English striker could have actually ended up with scoring four or five goals against Mauricio Pochettino’s side but was thwarted by Michel Vorm on numerous occasions. The performance dispelled the rumours that Sturridge could not play in a Jurgen Klopp side and also proved that he is still the most lethal striker Liverpool have.
Post the performance at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp was pleased with the Englishman.
“That’s his talent, that’s his strength; he’s a finisher.
“He’s a really good striker, no doubt about this. I was never in doubt about him, even when he didn’t score. It’s not a question. There’s nothing to discuss about quality or something.”
The German also praised the performance of the other strikers that took part in the win over Spurs. Klopp also let out why he could not play with Sturridge in the starting line-up more often.
“Divock Origi didn’t score but he played quite well. Danny Ings when he came in didn’t score but played really well. Daniel, (they were) wonderful goals for us, really important, in the right moment he could have scored three or four then it would have been perfect. But it was really good.
“There is no discussion about the quality of Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Danny Ings. It’s only a situation. We cannot play with four strikers. If you have any idea how we can do that, plus defending, come to me and tell me!”
A place in the XI for Sturridge?
Daniel Sturridge has still not opened his account in the Premier League this season but performances like these will keep him in and around the starting XI. Currently, Klopp cannot drop anyone from Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho or Roberto Firmino as the trio have the most lethal attack in the league.
However, injuries are part and parcel of the game, something that Sturridge will attest to. And it will be no surprise if one of the aforementioned starters do pick up an injury in the coming months. This is where Sturridge will come back into the side for sure.
Even more than the goals scored against Tottenham, the performance of Sturridge was exceptional and that should be a boost to the Englishman. Even Klopp seemed pleased with the attacker and that is all Sturridge can do at the moment, be in the good books of the manager.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZU9rlxYeKM
