17 May 2017 19:04:06
Hi ed001

Looking at the stats, Sturridge has been available for 26 out of 37 games this season. That's a fitness rate of 70%. 6 starts, 13 subs, 7 unused as a sub.

We talk about this need to sell Sturridge because he's injury prone, yet his fitness this season actually hasn't been that bad. 70% is a great improvement for him. His lack of appearances is a lot more due to Klopp preferring Firmino than injury troubles.

Don't you think that if had Klopp trusted him more, we perhaps would have had UCL wrapped up by now? Apart from Mane, Sturridge with his great movement is by far the most useful asset to have in unlocking those deep-defending smaller teams we struggle against. If he started against Saints he well could have scored a goal, and if he started against Watford, the victory could have been more comfortable.

Yes, Firmino provides movement, but not the kind of movement suited against deep defences. He doesn't run in behind, he runs the opposite way. Without Mane, it's hard to score against these teams without a metaphorical needle in our team constantly trying to pierce holes open like Sturridge does.

I've never really bought into the argument that he doesn't suit Klopp. I think he suits Klopp well enough. People go on about how he doesn't press enough, but seriously, how much pressing does Liverpool actually do when the opposition is parking the bus? None, because you can't press when you always have the ball!

{Ed001's Note - hard to tell, we might have conceded more with him in the side or anything. All ifs, buts and maybes. I would prefer him in the side when fit though.}

1.) 17 May 2017
17 May 2017 20:27:16
Do you think he will leave ed?

{Ed001's Note - I don't think he will go, unless a last minute move, as no one will pay the money we would want.}

2.) 17 May 2017
17 May 2017 20:40:20
Ye but how many of those sub appearances are when studge was 100% fit? I'd hazard most of those times he was just coming back from injury and clearly he is not 100% there physically or mentally. Its difficult to plan effectively with a player who has been injured like that.

3.) 17 May 2017
17 May 2017 20:53:59
Earlier in the season the line on sturridge was: we create less chances when sturridge is in the team because of his lack of movement/ effort and although we score a higher % of those chances it's better to have him out and create more.

That was the line earlier this season when he played and we couldn't break teams down. I'm surprised he's now become the saviour against teams we can't break down.

4.) 17 May 2017
17 May 2017 21:43:42
West Ham for Studge, London boy go back home and they will give him a decent wage and like a sicknote striker.

5.) 17 May 2017
17 May 2017 21:44:20
but the best defence is a good offence. you invite trouble when the opponent aren't scared of our attack.

6.) 17 May 2017
17 May 2017 22:01:22
If he played more games the percentage he was available would likely have dropped due to injuries incurred in matches.

7.) 17 May 2017
17 May 2017 22:32:43
Somehow Studge even manages to get slated for being from London?

8.) 17 May 2017
17 May 2017 22:48:35
It was nothing to do with sturrixge.

It was the change in systsm. Firminos movement was non existent when we played 433 with him.

No coincidence that like 13/ 14 sturrixge found himself in a diamond formation.

9.) 17 May 2017
17 May 2017 22:49:17
If he doesn't move on ed that will mean we won't sign another striker? Luan for example. Ed002 has explained we continue to look at Strikers but if Studge stays I can't see how we can bring another one in?

10.) 17 May 2017
17 May 2017 22:51:40
i think your just looking at stats but i think if you look at occasions when we hadnt the preferred guys there sturridge was missing also at times so he actually missed chances to play, like winter/ January when mane in africa coutinho just about come or just back he goes away for hot weather break and comes back with an illness another missed opportunity if you get my gist.

11.) 18 May 2017
17 May 2017 23:23:17
He's from Birmingham, Mr Bobby J.

12.) 18 May 2017
17 May 2017 23:56:50
Sturridge is from Birmingham I think, not London!

13.) 18 May 2017
18 May 2017 00:59:55
Sturridge is from Birmingham.

And judging him on the game at the weekend is a bit hasty in my opinion as West Ham never turned up as they had nothing to play for.
I felt sorry for Slaven Billic who seems a xecent bloke but who has a chairman in Sullivan who thinks he knows more about buying players than hever does.

Sturridge need to play 10 games on the trot to be fully assessed.

There's no doubting his ability but there is a huge question mark over his stamina.

Hopefully with no world cup or euros this year he can have a proper preseason and build it up slowly FOR LFC IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.

14.) 18 May 2017
18 May 2017 03:48:58
Sturridge suits 2 upfront or when we're facing teams that sit back and defend and we need his skills to put away the half chances. What he's not so good at IMO is the high press against top opposition as Firmino is such an important trigger for us, but we seem to be playing that a little less often now as Klopp seems to have adapted his style more to a slightly more balanced approach.

If sturridge can stay fit I think the way we're playing now suits him better than our style 12 months ago, particularly if it's Coutinho in midfield who is more capable of playing in his runs in behind.

15.) 18 May 2017
18 May 2017 06:26:57
Ed I'm not sure if Sturridge could cause Liverpool to concede more goals, not at least when the team needs to break teams down. We always have around 70% possession and the opportunities the opponents get are fast counter attacks that Sturridge very often could not do anything to stop.

In other games when the opposition comes out to play - particularly the better sides - I agree that playing Firmino up top is the best solution, and results validate that. His pressing up top helps unsettle the opposition with a two-fold effect, it helps us score and helps us defend.

But when it comes to playing the double-deckers, I reckon a front two of Sturridge and Firmino would be ideal, with Coutinho pulling the strings in midfield.

{Ed001's Note - he could, very easily, by not covering a passing lane or playing a pass which is intercepted etc. There is no way of telling exactly what would have happened. It is pointless to talk about where we would have been as you can't tell.}

16.) 18 May 2017
18 May 2017 20:00:41
I was referring to the lifestyle he seems to purvey not the place of birth and the fact he's lived in london before. Plus still don't see he doing anything but leave. We cannot afford anymore time or money being wasted on a player who spends all his time in the sick bay.