20 Aug 2017 05:13:12
Ed001 what you opinion on Sturridge yesterday? I'm desperate for him to succeed with us but something just seems missing with him. It was devastating watching him chase a ball in the first half and being outpaced by an average speed defender. That lightning speed has truly gone and he doesn't seem to be finding himself in positions to score. Also do you think Bobby will continue to play up top? I understand he does a selfless job there but despite what Klopp says I really don't think he's a striker or ever will be.

{Ed001's Note - to be fair, wasn't it Zouma he was up against? I can't remember now, but if it was, then he is very quick for a defender, or at least he was before suffering his own long term injury. The speed and acceleration are not there for Sturridge, that is true, sadly. Whether it will ever come back or not we will never know but he is having to adjust his game to cope. He was trying to drop off and pick up the ball, rather than look for the ball over the top. That should not be an issue the way we play, as Mane and Salah provide the pace for balls over the top, but he needs to adapt himself.

Firmino will continue up there, he is exactly what we need, a linkman. I have no idea why you think he is not a striker, not every player in that position is an out and out goalscorer. Players like Firmino are priceless, they attract defenders, create space and are always a threat.}


1.) 20 Aug 2017
20 Aug 2017 05:25:13
It was Fosu Mensah Ed001. And yeah, Sturridge has lost his burst of acceleration but he is an intelligent footballer more than capable of adapting his game to Klopp's needs. The question is how long before he is totally comfortable playing a new style and whether he gets consistent enough game time to prove to Klopp he has a long term future at the club.

{Ed001's Note - TFM is very quick, so it is not that big a shock.}


2.) 20 Aug 2017
20 Aug 2017 06:11:02
To be fair to Sturridge that was his first game back after injury and he usually seems to need 3-4 games to get up to speed.


3.) 20 Aug 2017
20 Aug 2017 06:25:20
I agree with Ed1,Firmino does a great job up top and there isn't many strikers around who I would swap him for.


4.) 20 Aug 2017
20 Aug 2017 07:02:53
What scared me was when Sturridge took one hell of a power shot which ballooned over. That is how he usually injures himself😅 The sweet bit of footwork before the shot though shows he is still top class.
Think he will need to build a lot of confidence in his running ability to pick up speed again. Probably scared of hurting himself - so many fast players 'lose' pace after even just 1 leg injury, he has had a big series of injuries : (.


5.) 20 Aug 2017
20 Aug 2017 07:31:33
Ed, the mentality of "only a striker can play up top" is typical and outdated English mentality. Spain won the Euros w/ o ever playing a CF. Their "CF's" were Silva and then Fabregas. Germany won the Confed Cup while playing a couple of times with Lars Stindl, a box to box midfielder (and a darn good one too) from Gladbach at CF.

Unfortunately, the English will never understand that the game has evolved and playing with a linkman as striker, prevents the CB's from marking him out. They are obliged to mark zonally as in, the spaces in front of them so when Firmino drops deep, Mane, Salah or Cou (hopefully) can dart into the spaces between the back line and go straight for goal. With the way we play, NO typical CF can play there bar maybe Lewandowski who knows Klopp's system and thrived in it and who for me, is the most complete CF on the planet. No other will fit.

{Ed001's Note - Mueller is also not a out and out striker.}


6.) 20 Aug 2017
20 Aug 2017 07:55:10
Sturridge is playing smart. He is aware that his pace and agility are probably what cause him his muscle injuries, so he is adjusting his game a bit.
I saw it in pre season the day he got injured lobbing the keeper. He got away from the defender but the usual blast of pace wasn't there.
I think he is aware, as is Klopp, that once he has the ball he is a great finisher, so only has to create himself a yard or so of space.
Like End said, whether this is Sturridge easing himself back in after injury and we will see the pace return we will have to wait and see.


7.) 20 Aug 2017
20 Aug 2017 08:58:44
Sturridge needs to reinvent himself.

Either into someone like Sheringham, or someone like Fowler.

Neither had great pace. It didn't matter. Like them, Sturridge can pass, and he can finish.


8.) 20 Aug 2017
20 Aug 2017 09:47:25
Danny has to just become confident with his body and that will take time. its physical and mental with him. he believes in his own ability that is clear. once he realises kicking a ball won't hurt his foot he will be sound.


9.) 20 Aug 2017
20 Aug 2017 09:55:11
Tigerxl that's a good shout.


10.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 12:40:32
I agree Ed001, Bobby does a fantastic job up top and easily the best link up player we have. I'm not doubting his overall ability or value to our team. I'm questioning his ability to get the pig skin in the net, and I don't mean that in the sense that he can't finish, although that is an area of his game I think he needs work on. I mean it in the sense of his positioning, he doesn't seem to get into scoring positions for himself often enough, which I think is important whether your leading the line either directly or creatively. Again this wouldn't be an issue if he was belting them in from outside that box like that goal v Arsenal in his first year, but I don't think he pulls them goals out the hat very often. I hope he smashes 20+ this year though.

{Ed001's Note - he is not being asked to play that way though, so it is unfair that people keep criticising him for not scoring enough.}


11.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 14:26:59
Fair enough ed001. Just wanted your thoughts either way. Cheers!

{Ed001's Note - no worries mate, just find it a bit galling that the lad is playing so well yet everyone still wants to change things. If it's not broke!}