This is a heartbreaking piece to write, but Liverpool fans can no longer dispute facts: Daniel Sturridge has lost his legs.
No more do you see the formerly blistering striker making runs in behind a defence that couldn’t keep up. Now, we see a frustrated ‘striker’ coming short to get the ball and then not knowing what to do with it.
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Sturridge doesn’t score goals at nearly the same rate as he did in 2013/14, when bar Luis Suarez, he was the best forward in the country. His movement, speed and finishing was simply breathtaking. While his finishing remains (although you’d argue otherwise if you watched him last night…), his speed and movement is nowhere near the same level.
If you don’t believe us, watch clips from his best season, and then check out these stats, courtesy of Sky Sports:
So sad to see a footballer lose his legs by 27 due to injuries. pic.twitter.com/pcR2Mle0uX
— Jordan A Chamberlain (@Jordan_AC90) January 26, 2017
So sad to see a footballer lose his legs by 27 due to injuries. pic.twitter.com/sxZvJMrRjH
— Jordan A Chamberlain (@Jordan_AC90) January 26, 2017
Sturridge’s sprinting has got slower every year since 2013/14 as his injuries have mounted and his confidence diminished.
He no longer trusts his body and that much is obvious. His main physical attributes are no more, and it’s the reason Jurgen Klopp has regarded him as a backup option ever since taking over.
Now, fans are starting to realise the German perhaps spotted this from the beginning – we were just fantasised by the Sturridge we saw before injuries ravaged him.
The problem is, this isn’t going to get any better. His body is in decline, and he’s not going to suddenly find the speed and dynamism that once made him so great.