Sunday’s 4-0 thrashing of West Ham was made all the more pleasing by Daniel Sturridge’s impressive performance in his first start since January.
Sharp cameos in recent weeks proved to be an accurate representation of where his fitness is at as he put in a display far more influential and valuable than Reds have seen from him in months.
He rewarded the faith Jurgen Klopp had put in him and gave the Liverpool boss good reason to keep him in his starting eleven for next week’s decisive final game of the season against Middlesbrough.
The conviction and the composure to round goalkeeper Adrián before slotting home into an empty net for Liverpool’s opener typified how deadly can still be, making his regular absences from injury this season all the more frustrating.
He seemed to thrive with another striker playing alongside him in Divock Origi and having a technician like Philippe Coutinho occupying a more central position that saw him constantly pick up the ball before feeding Sturridge’s movement.
The England star’s Liverpool future remains uncertain yet supporters have seemingly been swayed towards the club keeping hold of him thanks to a reminder of his talent.
Sturridge Man of the Match for me. Sensational performance
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) May 14, 2017
A fit Daniel Sturridge would be a real player for any team, do we really wanna sell? And does Daniel want to leave Liverpool?
Me..stay dan— Dave Reardon (@daver1811) May 15, 2017
Catching up on highlight. Sturridge played, behaved and celebrated like a man who’s staying and wants to stay. I like.
— Asim (@AsimRasib) May 14, 2017
Sturridge needs to stay next season don’t care if he only plays 10 games those 10 games could be valuable
— rakib (@rakibthefirst) May 14, 2017
If Sturridge could stay fit there’d be no talk of us needing a top striker – we’ve already got one.
— Andy Proudfoot (@AndelaConsult) May 14, 2017
Sturridge has to stay, he showed just how good he is today
— Keep Sturridge! (@StevieGForcee) May 14, 2017
When Sturridge is fully fit there aren’t many better. He’s got it all! Love him to stay and play! Proper waste.
— Joe (@Jophes86) May 14, 2017
Coutinho and Sturridge played amazing today. Makes me want Danny to stay Another year. If only he could stay healthy
— lucas + (@LucasMcCartyy) May 14, 2017
If Sturridge can stay healthy, he should 100% stay…
— David Simpson (@dsimpson1989) May 14, 2017
Daniel Sturridge has to stay at #LFC !He’s the game changer we’ve lacked against low block teams. Absolutely world class, when fit! #WHULFCpic.twitter.com/6opGlfi3ZI
— Jacob Edwards (@Jacob_Owen7) May 14, 2017
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(Video) Coutinho’s jaw-dropping performance v West Ham in all its glory…