Daniel Sturridge is a player who seriously divides opinion amongst Premier League fans and it’s safe to say the Liverpool punters in the Tavern aren’t sure what to make of him either!
He played for most of the 2-2 draw against Sunderland and managed a goal and a few stinging efforts but still, throughout the tie, it was clear he wasn’t fitting into the system used by Jurgen Klopp.
It’s been the argument that has blighted his time at Anfield throughout the whole of the German’s stay at the club and against Sunderland it was clearer than ever that his long-term future lies away from the club.
He’s been a cracking servant at Anfield over the past couple of years but with Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi and even youngsters seeing more time in the striking ranks right now, his time at the club looks to be over and for the sake of his career, he needs to move on.
So with some help from the Reds fans here in the pub, here’s 3 reasons why Daniel Sturridge must leave Liverpool as soon as possible…
He just doesn’t fit the Jurgen Klopp system
This argument comes up time and time again and the more you see it on the pitch, the more you can tell that Daniel Sturridge just doesn’t fit the Jurgen Klopp style of play.
Naturally, he’s a great goalscorer with at times, a fantastic first touch but playing under the former Dortmund man requires far more than natural talent.
Sturridge is an anomaly when it comes to the way things work at Anfield these days and after a whole season under the German, you know when your time is up.
His inability to close down is clear for all to see
The entire Klopp system of high-pressing and high-intensity only works if every single member of the team is doing just that as a collective unit.
When Daniel Sturridge is only willing to sacrifice half of the work-rate some of his team-mates are performing at, things just aren’t going to work out.
Firmino is in-form and playing well but his ability to do the dirty side of the game seems to give him an edge over Sturridge, even before goals and form come into the equation.
He’s just not clinical enough
Some praised Sturridge’s performance against the Black Cats and, whilst he scored a goal against the Premier League strugglers, there were too many efforts that didn’t hit the back-of-the-net.
Sturridge had six strikes on target throughout the match, with one going in and the rest being saved, albeit well but Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone.
But this was the chance to pick up some strikes against one of the worst defences in the Premier League and you really feel Sturridge should have been scoring some of the shots he was firing at the goal.
If he’s not fitting the play-style or scoring the goals needed to give Liverpool the win, then his usefulness continues to decrease by the week.
