Topic: Daniel Sturridge

[groove]

He does track back to be fair. The tackling stat, for me, is due to a lack of aggression rather than anything that can be pointed towards work rate. His biggest weakness is the physical side of the game. Too easily pushed off the ball, not often willing to put his body in the mixer when appropriate without the ball. When closing down an opponent on the ball he is always looking to intercept from close range rather than physically press hard. I'm sure it's been worked on with various coaches but he still doesn't seem to fancy it that much.

[Mr Mingebag Squid]

Which doesn`t seem to be happening :

"Remarkably, the forward is yet to make a single tackle in 348 minutes of Premier League football this season."

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/10629175/why-daniel-sturridge-is-not-doing-enough-for-jurgen-klopps-liverpool

And this backs up why he hasn't been first choice.

Sometimes we hold on to players too long when it isn't working out. I'd back Jürgen to make the right call whether that's move him on or keep him in the squad.

[JackWard33]

And this backs up why he hasn't been first choice.

Sometimes we hold on to players too long when it isn't working out. I'd back Jürgen to make the right call whether that's move him on or keep him in the squad.

If I'd gone back in time to 13/14 and told you people on this forum would be arguing that Sturridge should be out the team because his tackle numbers are low what kind of response would I have got?
It's fine to make arguments as to why Sturridge isn't first choice but fuck me.... tackle numbers?!!?! What an absolute farce of an argument

[God's Left Peg]

If I'd gone back in time to 13/14 and told you people on this forum would be arguing that Sturridge should be out the team because his tackle numbers are low what kind of response would I have got?
It's fine to make arguments as to why Sturridge isn't first choice but fuck me.... tackle numbers?!!?! What an absolute farce of an argument

The thing is, he does appear to be out of the team at this point. On most recent evidence, he does not make the first 11 unless there are injuries to key players. Thats fairly indisputable. People are looking at the tackling stat, looking at the way the first choice front three play and then putting 2 and 2 together. I don't really see much wrong with that; it seems logical enough.

Your support for the player and repeated defence of him against criticism is admirable. Honest question though: Do you think Klopp fancies him or not? And why?

[JackWard33]

The thing is, he does appear to be out of the team at this point. On most recent evidence, he does not make the first 11 unless there are injuries to key players. Thats fairly indisputable. People are looking at the tackling stat, looking at the way the first choice front three play and then putting 2 and 2 together. I don't really see much wrong with that; it seems logical enough.

Your support for the player and repeated defence of him against criticism is admirable. Honest question though: Do you think Klopp fancies him or not? And why?

I've also posted I think he'll be sold in the summer.

Quoting tackling stats for a striker is just a silly to me - I can't imagine for a single second it's why he's out the team or even a factor. What were Lewandoski's tackling stats for Dortmund.... please don't check... no one cares. Including Klopp. Tackling stats are suspect as all hell anyway before you get to arguments about whether you should care if your 9 is making them

'Pressing' and off the ball ability a certainly a factor but the more significant factor to be is a) a positive choice of Firmino (rather than a negative reflection on Sturridge - Klopp just prefers him as his line leader). b) the system we're playing not really having room for an out and out number 9

I'm always motivated to post in this thread when I see black and white arguments about Sturridge.
His ability level hasn't fallen off a cliff - his underlying numbers last season were more than solid, he's been unlucky with his finishing this season. There's also a lot of football left to play this season and he'll get plenty of chances (players get injured, rotation etc) and probably score important goals for us.
The front 3 have played super well together this season - but then they've also played super well with Sturridge in there (vs Liecester, second half vs Swansea)
I don't have a problem with him not starting for us at the moment. I do have a problem with people writing him off and a particular problem with people saying he's out the team because he has a low tackle stat 

[ggcc14]

Your support for the player and repeated defence of him against criticism is admirable.

no it's not, its choosing to bury your head in the sand.. probably 95% of this forum were absolute overjoyed with Daniel's performances in that season. but you've got to acknowledge what is now infront of you.

[Suareznumber7]

I'm always motivated to post in this thread when I see black and white arguments about Sturridge.
His ability level hasn't fallen off a cliff - his underlying numbers last season were more than solid, he's been unlucky with his finishing this season.

There's a big difference in how we line up this year compared to last year.  Last year we basically played with 2 strikers and this year it's clearly 1 striker.  Sturridge has always played great and put up incredible numbers while playing with a strike partner.  His numbers, while still really good when he was fully fit, weren't as good as when he played as a lone striker. 

[Mr Mingebag Squid]

If I'd gone back in time to 13/14 and told you people on this forum would be arguing that Sturridge should be out the team because his tackle numbers are low what kind of response would I have got?
It's fine to make arguments as to why Sturridge isn't first choice but fuck me.... tackle numbers?!!?! What an absolute farce of an argument

It's not so much actually tackling though. It's more the pressing - if he Lallana or Firmino style chased across the front line and harried defenders into mistakes you wouldn't mind - but he doesn't really do this. In the team that Klopp has setup, this is a big requirement.

In 13/14 we had the luxury of Suarez doing two mans worth of chasing so Daniel could be a bit more lax. Different times, different styles.

[fenre]

Is tackling stats the new possession stat?

I am just glad that the club has moved in the direction that we now have Sturridge and Origi on the bench. Cant remember the last time we had that kind of quality.

[newterp]

Is tackling stats the new possession stat?

I am just glad that the club has moved in the direction that we now have Sturridge and Origi on the bench. Cant remember the last time we had that kind of quality.

I love successful dribbles - whatever the hell that means!

[SerbianScouser]

Is tackling stats the new possession stat?

Tackles and interceptions can not gauge someone`s defensive work because off the ball stuff is so important as well but they can give you an indication at least of someone`s effort. It`s the same thing with Aguero and why he wasn`t picked for the big game -- when you look at t+i stats of Sturridge and Aguero compared some of the most hard working forwards in the league it is astounding how poor they are in comparison.

All of this wouldn`t be in issue if Sturridge was scoring goals this season, nobody cared how hard he worked off the ball in 13/14 when he was scoring in almost every other game. But when the goals dry up his work-rate gets badly exposed to the point where he gets hauled off even before the hour mark in huge games vs Utd and Chelsea not even so much for the lack of running but for his apparent inability to hold the ball up in those games to save his life - that`s why the tackle stats stick out.

[JackWard33]

Tackles and interceptions can not gauge someone`s defensive work because off the ball stuff is so important as well but they can give you an indication at least of someone`s effort. It`s the same thing with Aguero and why he wasn`t picked for the big game -- when you look at t+i stats of Sturridge and Aguero compared some of the most hard working forwards in the league it is astounding how poor they are in comparison.

Nothing to do with Sturridge or Aguero but I'd be wary of putting much emphasis on using tackling and intercepting stats as a measure of someone's work rate or off the ball effectiveness
You can use them as a guide of things or when looking for changes/differences in performance but they're limited

Tackling and Interception stats tell you very little about how hard working a player is - especially tackling stats - and even less about how good they are off the ball.
They need to be possession adjusted (the less you have the ball the easier it is to rack up defensive action stats) and even then they're really not great as a metric of anything.
Stats are getting better and better at measuring on the ball effectiveness - but defensively they're still not great

[amirani]

I thought we would stop complaining about Sturridge when his injury problems are behind him. But nope, gotta keep looking at creative ways to put him down. People keep on raving about Coutinho's transfer fee but fail to mention we got Sturridge for a very decent amount too. And for the amount we paid for him, he has clearly been an outstanding success so far just by looking at numbers. Surely he is going through a rough patch right now but which player doesn't? He still has 2 assists and 2 goals in approx 10-12 games this season. Don't be too quick to write him off. Still a long season and we will definitely need a player of his talent either as part of starting XI or off the bench.

[Golyo]

And for the amount we paid for him, he has clearly been an outstanding success so far just by looking at numbers.

What about the amount we pay for him (present tense, wages)? What about all the games he missed due to injury? I hope he gets more time and scores goals, but as of now, it does not seem to me that he is much more than a backup.

[amirani]

What about the amount we pay for him (present tense, wages)? What about all the games he missed due to injury? I hope he gets more time and scores goals, but as of now, it does not seem to me that he is much more than a backup.

You talk about present tense. Then go on to talk about the games he missed in the PAST due to injury? He is fit right now. It's not like we are paying over the odds in wages to Sturridge. It's very much in line for a club with top 4 ambitions. Also, till recently Lallana was viewed as a backup. Lovren early last season was viewed as a backup. They turned it around. So why can't Sturridge when he was one of the first names on the sheet few seasons ago. I am sure Klopp views Sturridge as an important member of the squad or else he is ruthless enough to have shown him out just like he did with Benteke.

[Jookie]

Some of the posts in here are a bit mad.

Sturridge is an excellent striker, albeit one who is off form a little at the moment. He's still working hard when given the chance though. That's the main thing he can do at that moment.

We are in a pretty convenient position that we have someone (Firmino) in the squad who is playing perfectly in the system we currently employ. Both with and without the ball. It's also convenient he's on form, not injured and not suspended.

Long may it continue but I've watched football long enough to know that players lose form, get injured or get suspended. In these situations it's not a bad position to have excellent players on the the bench. Even if they are in poor form currently. Because conversely some players gain form as well as lose form over the course of a season. It's the way football normally works.

I'm not sure why Liverpool supporters look to write off a player as soon as he's outside the starting XI for a few games. It's like we are looking for reasons to bin them off. Or reasons why the player may ask to leave. We've seen it with Sturridge and Emre Can this season. For me, it's quite simple -  the more good players you have the more chance you have of winning stuff. If you are winning stuff, more players are happy to stick around.

[Golyo]

You talk about present tense. Then go on to talk about the games he missed in the PAST due to injury? He is fit right now. It's not like we are paying over the odds in wages to Sturridge. It's very much in line for a club with top 4 ambitions. Also, till recently Lallana was viewed as a backup. Lovren early last season was viewed as a backup. They turned it around. So why can't Sturridge when he was one of the first names on the sheet few seasons ago. I am sure Klopp views Sturridge as an important member of the squad or else he is ruthless enough to have shown him out just like he did with Benteke.

I was responding to the 'outstanding success' part. Also, I don't think he is 100 percent fit now, maybe he never will be. He lost pace and acceleration seemingly. I hope he can turn it around, he can push other players in the future, but right now he is not doing that.

[Clayton Bigsby]

I'm not sure why Liverpool supporters look to write off a player as soon as he's outside the starting XI for a few games. It's like we are looking for reasons to bin them off. Or reasons why the player may ask to leave.

Great post but quoted this because its a real head scratcher, especially considering that nobody has any proof that he is unhappy enough to contemplate leaving

[phil236849]

this is not a new issue.  Any of those of us long enough in the tooth will recall how Rushie was constantly lauded as being our first line of defence, the best defensive striker in the league, etc.  KK was all action.  King Kenny was hard as.  Michael Owen had a nasty streak, got sent off v Man U.  In the modern game, you need multi-dimensional players.  Kloppo isn't wacky on this - it is what Pep is going through with Aguero; look at Lamela under Pochettino; irrespective of the state of Man U at present, Mourinho has always gone for physical forwards; Sanchez and Giroud have more physical presence and energy than Sturridge.  I am not writing him off, but if the point is being made that we shouldn't judge forwards on their defensive contribution, I think that point is wrong, with Kloppo and others

[wemmick]

I think Danny will have to find another gear physically and mentally if he wants much playing time this season, which I think is excellent. I reckon he has one, and it will make the squad that much more competitive and complete. Henderson has become a prefect example of this. The man found a gear I never thought he had.

[lgvkarlos]

I think Danny will have to find another gear physically and mentally if he wants much playing time this season, which I think is excellent. I reckon he has one, and it will make the squad that much more competitive and complete. Henderson has become a prefect example of this. The man found a gear I never thought he had.

His pace has disappeared  since the injury, if that returns he will be fine.

[ToneLa]

Pace was fine in that goal just now 

[Samie]

He did what he does best. 

[stevienash]

Could of should of had a hat trick

[Funky_Gibbons]

Could of should of had a hat trick

2/3rds of the way there.

[ToneLa]

I missed his dance 

[Zlen]

That'll do him a world of good.

[Studgotelli]

Better from him today and not just because he scored. Movement was good and put himself about in the channels. Also seemed quicker/less hesitant to sprint.

[Van Halen]

[rscanderlech]

Better from him today and not just because he scored. Movement was good and put himself about in the channels. Also seemed quicker/less hesitant to sprint.

Still, he hasn't got that explosiveness from standing still, but we all know that he can have games like this and gives us great depth. I'd still rather Firmino in the PL though.

[alonsoisared]

Class tonight, also showed his pace a couple of times as well. Some conundrum to have.

[Chakan]

Could have had 5 still happy with 2!

Nice one lad.

[RyanBabel19]

Sublime

Natural goalscorer. All the put downs are boring

[SerbianScouser]

Brilliant. We really need him this season, we can`t win the league without him.

[lessthanmatt]

Should have had more, but you can't argue with 2 goals in any game. His goals won us the game - Michael Owen

[kennedy81]

Goals and that. So unlucky not to get a hatrick. Absolutely boss player.

[psycllone]

Studge is back! Should have had a hattrick tonight. This gives klopp a big selection headache I am sure.

[The G in Gerrard]

Class.

[Studgotelli]

Still, he hasn't got that explosiveness from standing still, but we all know that he can have games like this and gives us great depth. I'd still rather Firmino in the PL though.

Agree but he showed a lot more explosiveness today than I've seen in months.

[Fiasco]

I said before the game that it wouldn't really matter if he starts and scores because he's unlikely to get in ahead of the three forward who were rested tonight. But when you watch him like that you think, 'How do you not play him?'

I do think his confidence has been low this season and a couple of goals at Anfield will help massively with that. However it won't be helped should his goals not be good enough to start against Palace. A nice headache to have.