John Aldridge scored goals at a rate of knots for Liverpool and he’s today made some mighty sensible points about someone who at his best, does exactly the same: Daniel Sturridge.
There have been plenty of rumours and suggestions that our English forward will look for a new club in January, because he’s currently out of Jurgen Klopp’s first-choice starting XI.
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That’s because Sadio Mane, Coutinho and Roberto Firmino have formed a lethal front-three, all capable of trickery, inter-changing positions, creativity and goals. In fact, the trio have scored 16 Premier League goals between them so far so it’s no surprise, however talented Sturridge is, that he’s currently playing backup.
Aldridge though is adamant Klopp won’t even consider selling and that the player should remain patient, because a chance will come.
Here’s an extract from his column for the Echo:
“The situation can easily change – a slight injury to a forward and all of a sudden Daniel is in the team and if he scores a few goals he can take on the mantle. That’s the way football is.
“But you have to have cover so there is no way I think that Jurgen Klopp would let him go, personally – even if he wanted to go.
“You can understand if Daniel is frustrated and he wants to play. But it doesn’t work like that. The club comes first and you have to be professional.
“He is probably gutted that he’s not playing but when you have a winning team you have to be patient and wait for your opportunity.
“That’s how football is – Sturridge can’t start putting the cat among the pigeons and his comments in the papers have been right. He’s a team player and is doing all he can.
“But if you have three players in front of you who are all scoring goals and playing really well then you can’t get a place – it’s as simple as that.”
It’s unlikely that Sturridge will play from the offset against Sunderland on Saturday, but he’s shoe-in to start the EFL Cup tie with Leeds on Tuesday, where he’ll be looking to add to his four goals in the competition so far.
Likewise, Divock Origi, our extraordinarily talented young Belgian, will get a run out and will be equally keen to impress.
It’s not nice for those in question, but the fact we have Sturridge and Origi as backup right now demonstrates how much firepower Klopp has at his disposal.