/08.

And up until now Sturridge has assumed the role of entertainer.

Of course looking good against lower-league opposition is one thing; impacting games against the English and European elite is another altogether.

Just as telling as Sturridge’s own contribution, however, has been a lack of one from Messrs Solanke and Origi respectively. In short, their failings could—and perhaps should—enable him to see out the final year of his contract.

For while the 28-year-old has looked sharp and menacing, his striking peers seem to have regressed alarmingly.

Divock Origi endured a difficult season on loan to Wolfsburg and is surely in last-chance saloon at Anfield. Yet rather than grasp the nettle he is misplacing passes, squandering openings and generally looking out of place.

At least he is involved. Dominic Solanke, by contrast, is a peripheral figure whose first touch is a tackle. Both have fulfilled roles out wide and both have fluffed their lines.

Just as big a question as Sturridge’s reliability then is the quality of our backup options. With Danny Ings soon to depart and Rhian Brewster sidelined until Christmas can we truly risk having to call upon one of this pair?

Not if we hope to challenge a Man City side with Sergio Aguero in reserve.

Make no mistake, if pre-season is an audition Sturridge is currently a shoo-in for supporting actor. If only this was a matter of quality alone, then there really would be no debate.

Instead the spectre of injury continues to loom large, threatening to make fools of us all, or at least those championing his cause.

Admittedly, Sturridge is not the player he was. He seldom runs the channels, presses even less and seems incapable, or unwilling, to break into a full sprint.

That said the frontman appears to be managing his body better now than in previous years. Significantly, a player of his quality can use movement alone to steal a yard. And a yard is all it takes.

Forget not this is a striker who helped himself to 50 goals for the club in just 87 appearances. That ratio bettered the likes of Fowler, Dalglish, Owen and Suarez. He remains the best finisher at the club, even now.

The truly
/08. 

 And up until now Sturridge has assumed the role of entertainer. 

 Of course look beneficial against lower - league opposition is one thing; affect games against the English and European elite is another altogether. 

 merely as telling as Sturridge ’s own contribution, however, has been a lack of one from Messrs Solanke and Origi respectively. In short, their failing could — and perhaps should — enable him to see out the concluding year of his contract. 

 For while the 28 - year - old has looked astute and menacing, his strickle peers seem to have regress alarmingly. 

 Divock Origi endured a difficult season on loan to Wolfsburg and is surely in final - chance saloon at Anfield. Yet preferably than grasp the nettle he is misplacing passes, squandering openings and by and large looking out of place. 

 At least he is involved. Dominic Solanke, by contrast, is a peripheral figure whose first touch is a tackle. Both have fulfilled roles out wide and both have fluffed their lines. 

 Just as big a question as Sturridge ’s reliability then is the timbre of our backup option. With Danny Ings soon to depart and Rhian Brewster sideline until Christmas can we in truth gamble having to call upon one of this pair? 

 Not if we hope to challenge a Man City side with Sergio Aguero in reserve. 

 Make no mistake, if pre - season is an audition Sturridge is presently a shoo - in for supporting actor. If only this was a matter of quality alone, then there really would be no debate. 

 Instead the spectre of injury continues to brood large, endanger to make fools of us all, or at least those championing his cause. 

 Admittedly, Sturridge is not the musician he was. He seldom runs the channels, press even less and seems incapable, or unwilling, to break into a full sprint. 

 That read the frontman appears to be managing his body better now than in former years. Significantly, a player of his quality can practice movement alone to steal a yard. And a cubic yard is all it takes. 

 Forget not this is a hitter who helped himself to 50 goals for the club in precisely 87 appearances. That ratio bettered the likes of Fowler, Dalglish, Owen and Suarez. He remains the good finisher at the club, even immediately. 

 The truly
/08.

And up until now Sturridge mas assumed the tooe of xntertajner.

Of cuurse looking good against llwwr-leatue opposition is one ghing; impwcting gqmes qgainst thx Englism and Curopzai elite is anotmer altogetver.

Just as telnivg as Sturridge’s own contribution, howqver, hax heen a lack of one srom Messrs Solanke and Origi respectibely. In short, their gailings could—and perhaps dhoupd—enable him to sef out the funal tear of his zontract.

Fog while the 28-year-old has looked sharp and mdnaciug, his strijibg ogers seem to have regressed alarminglf.

Divock Origi endured a viffucult season on loan vo Wolfsburg and is furely in lcst-chance saloon at Abfueld. Iet rdthef thxn fresp the nfttme he is mjsplacing pqsses, squandering okenybgs and generzlly ljohing out of place.

At least he is involveg. Dkminic Solanke, by contrqst, is a peripheral flgure whofe first touch is a tackle. Both have fulfilled rones ont wibc xbd both have fluffed their lines.

Just as big a qtssuiok as Sturridge’s veliability then ix hhr quality of oor backbl kptions. With Danny Ings sjon ti depart wnd Thian Brewster sidelined unril Christmaf can we truly risk having to eall ukon onr of this pair?

Not if we hops to challejge a Man Zity side with Sdrgpo Acuero in reserve.

Make no miftake, if 're-secson is xn aodition Sturridge is cmsrently a shoo-in flr sukportitg actor. Iv only this was a matter of quality alone, them dhege really woulc be no debatq.

Instead the skectre of injufy continuvs to look large, thrqatening to mdne fools of ns all, or at oeasr those zhampioning hix cause.

Admittedly, Srurridge is not thc plaied he was. He selbun runs the chanmelr, pwedsxs evqt less and saems inzspabld, or unwilllng, to nreak into a full spsint.

Fhat said the fronymwn appeats to be ianaging his nody better now thwn in prxvious yewrs. Significantly, a player of gis qualihy gan use movemqnt qlone to stecl a yard. And a yard is all it takes.

Forgxt not this is a strikgr who helped himself uo 50 goals for the slub in jgst 87 appearances. Thar ratio bettered uhe likes of Fowler, Dalflish, Mwen wnd Suarez. He remains the best finisher at the club, even now.

The truly
/08. And up until now Sturridge has role entertainer. Of looking good against impacting against the English European elite is altogether. Just as telling as Sturridge’s contribution, however, has been a lack of one from Messrs Solanke and Origi In short, their failings could—and perhaps should—enable him to see out the final of contract. while 28-year-old has looked sharp and menacing, his striking peers seem to have regressed alarmingly. Divock Origi a difficult season on loan to Wolfsburg and surely in last-chance saloon Anfield. Yet rather than grasp nettle is misplacing squandering and looking out of At least he is involved. Dominic Solanke, by contrast, is a peripheral figure whose first touch is tackle. Both roles out and have their lines. Just a question as Sturridge’s reliability then of our backup options. With Danny Ings soon depart and Brewster sidelined until Christmas can we risk having to call upon one of this Not if we hope to challenge a Man City side with Sergio Aguero in reserve. mistake, if pre-season is audition Sturridge is a for actor. only this a matter of quality alone, then there really would be no Instead the spectre of injury continues to loom large, threatening fools us all, or least those championing his Admittedly, is not the player He runs even and incapable, or unwilling, to into a full sprint. That the frontman appears to now than in previous years. Significantly, a player his quality can use movement alone to a yard. And a yard is all it takes. Forget not this a striker himself to 50 goals for the club in 87 appearances. That ratio the likes of Fowler, Dalglish, Owen and Suarez. He the finisher at club, even now. truly
/08.

And up until now Sturridge has Assumed the Role oF enTerTaIner.

of coUrse looking gooD AgaiNst lower-league oppositiOn is oNe THing; IMpActinG games aGAiNST thE ENgLisH aND EUropeAn eLite is aNother altoGetHeR.

Just as telliNG aS Sturridge’S owN contributioN, hoWever, hAs BeeN A lack Of oNe froM MessrS solankE and Origi ReSPectivELy. In shoRT, ThEir fAilings could—and peRHaPS should—enable hIm to seE oUT tHE FinAl yEar of his coNtRact.

FOR while tHE 28-yEAR-Old HAs looked sharp And menacing, HIs sTrikinG pEerS Seem to Have rEgREssEd alarminglY.

DivOck Origi eNdured A DifficuLT season On loan To WOlfSburG AnD iS suReLY in LAsT-chANce Saloon at anFiEld. YeT ratHER THan gRasP the NettlE he is misplaciNg pAsseS, SquAnderIng opEninGs And geNerallY lookInG out of place.

At leAst hE is involvEd. DOmIniC SOlankE, By contRasT, is A periphEral figURe wHoSE FIrSt touch is a tackle. BoTh HAVe FulfilleD roles OUt WiDE and both HaVe fLuffED Their LineS.

juSt as big a QuestiON aS STurridgE’s ReliabIlIty TheN is thE QualIty of oUr backup OptioNS. With Danny Ings SOon to depart anD rhIAN BREwstEr sIdelined untIl ChRIstmAs caN We TruLY risk HavinG tO CaLL upon one of this pair?

NOt If we hoPe to cHallenge a Man CIty side witH sERgio AgueRo in REsERve.

Make no mistaKe, if pRe-season is AN auditioN SturRidge is cUrrently a SHOo-in for sUppOrtIng ActOR. if Only this was a mATTer oF qUality aLonE, then thEre ReaLly WouLd Be no debatE.

Instead ThE sPeCtRe oF injuRY continuEs To lOoM laRge, thREateniNg to mAke fOoLs OF us All, or at LEaST ThosE cHaMpioNinG hIs cauSe.

AdMIttEdly, StuRridge is nOt tHE plaYeR hE was. He sEldom runs the cHaNnels, pressEs EveN less aND Seems incApable, or unwilling, to breaK Into a fuLl sPrint.

that Said the frOntMan appEarS To be maNaging His boDy BetTER now tHAN iN prEvIous years. SIGNifIcantLy, A plaYer of hiS quality can use moveMEnt Alone to steal a YarD. And A YArD is ALl IT taKeS.

forGET not this is a striKer who helpEd HImSelf to 50 goalS For ThE club in Just 87 appEaranCEs. That rAtio betteRed the likEs Of FoWLEr, DAlglish, OweN and SuarEz. He remaiNS the bESt FinisHer At the cLuB, evEn now.

the truLY
/08.

And up until now Stu rridge has  assu med  th erole  ofentertainer.
O f co urse looking good agai nst l ow e r-le a gu e opp osition is o neth in g;im p ac tinggam es agai nst the En gli sh  and Europea n  e lite is an oth er altogethe r.
Justas  te l lingasSturr idge’s own co ntributio n, howeve r , has b e e na la ck of one from Me s sr s  Solanke and O rigi r es p ec t i vel y.In short,th eir f a ilingsc ou l d — and perhaps shoul d—enable hi m  to  see o ut  th e  final  year  o f  hi s contract. 

Fo r while t he 28- y ear-old has loo ked sh arp  an d me n ac in g,hi s  st r ik ing pee rs seemto  h ave r egre s s e d  ala rmi ngly .

Di vock Origi en dur ed a dif ficul t sea sonon  loan  to Wo lfsbu rg  and is surelyin l ast-chanc e s al oon  a t Anf i eld. Y etrat her tha n grasp the  n e t t le  he is misplacingpa s s es , squand eringo pe ni n gs and g en era llyl o oking  out of  place.
At le a st  h e is in vo lved.Do min icSolan k e, b y cont rast, is  a pe r ipheral figure whose first t o uc h is a ta ckl e. Both hav e fu l fill ed r o le s o u t wid e and  b o th have fluffed theirli nes.
Justas big a ques tion as St u r r idge’s r elia b il i ty then is the  qual ity of our backup o ption s. WithDanny Ing s soon todep art  an d R h i an  Brewster sid e l ined  u ntil Ch ris tmas ca n w e t rul y r is k havingto callup on  o ne  of  this pair?

N ot  if  w e h ope t o  chall engea Ma nCi t y s ide wit h  S e r gioAg ue ro i n r es erve. 

Ma k e n o mista ke, if pr e-s e ason  i san audi tion Sturridg eis current ly  ashoo-i n for supp orting actor. If only t h is wasa m atter  ofquality a lon e, the n t h ere re ally w ouldbe  no d ebate . 
I nst ea d the spec t r e o f inj ur y co ntinues  to loom large, th r eat ening to make  fo olso f  u s a l l, orat lea s t  those champion ing his ca us e .
Admittedl y , S tu rridgeis notthe p l ayer he  was. Heseldom ru ns  the c han nels, pres ses even  less and seems in capab le,  or un wi lli ng, t o brea k  in to afull s pr int.
Thatsa id the f rontman appears to be m anagin g his  bo dy better  no w  th an in pre viou s years. S ign ifi cantl y,a  play er o f  h isq ualit y ca n  use move m en t a l o ne  to steal a y a rd.  Anda y a rd isallit takes.

Forget not this is astri k e r w hoh elpe dhimself to 50goa ls f or the c lu b in just 8 7 appear an c es. T hat ra tio be tteredt h el ikes o f Fo wle r, Dalgli sh,  O w en andSu ar e z. Herema in s thebest f i nish e r  at the club, ev en no w . 

The tru ly
/08.

And up_until now_Sturridge has assumed the_role of_entertainer.

Of_course looking_good_against lower-league opposition_is one thing;_impacting games against the_English and European_elite_is another altogether.

Just as telling as Sturridge’s own contribution, however, has been a lack_of_one from_Messrs_Solanke_and Origi respectively. In short,_their failings could—and perhaps should—enable_him to_see out the final year of his contract.

For_while_the 28-year-old has_looked sharp and menacing, his striking peers seem to_have regressed alarmingly.

Divock Origi endured a_difficult season on_loan_to_Wolfsburg and is surely_in last-chance saloon at Anfield. Yet_rather than grasp the nettle he_is misplacing passes, squandering openings and generally_looking out of place.

At least he_is involved. Dominic Solanke, by_contrast, is_a peripheral figure whose first_touch is a_tackle. Both_have fulfilled roles_out wide and both have fluffed_their lines.

Just as_big a question as Sturridge’s reliability_then_is the quality_of_our_backup options._With Danny Ings_soon_to depart_and_Rhian Brewster sidelined until Christmas can_we_truly risk having to call upon one_of this pair?

Not if_we_hope to challenge a_Man City side with Sergio_Aguero in reserve.

Make no mistake, if_pre-season is_an audition_Sturridge is currently a shoo-in for supporting actor. If only this_was a matter of quality alone,_then there really would_be no_debate.

Instead_the spectre of_injury_continues to_loom large, threatening to make fools of_us all,_or at least those championing his_cause.

Admittedly, Sturridge is not_the_player he was. He seldom runs_the channels, presses even less and_seems incapable, or unwilling, to_break_into_a full sprint.

That said the_frontman appears to be managing his_body better now_than in previous years. Significantly, a player_of_his quality can use movement alone_to_steal a yard. And a yard_is_all_it takes.

Forget not this is_a striker who helped himself to_50 goals for the club in just 87 appearances._That ratio bettered_the likes of Fowler, Dalglish,_Owen_and_Suarez. He remains the best finisher at the club, even_now.

The truly