Daniel Sturridge’s goal against Huddersfield at the weekend was one of the most important of our season.
It looked like we were struggling to break down our promoted opponents in what was becoming an increasingly dour game, but Sturridge’s excellent finish put at end to Huddersfield’s resistance and we ran out 3-0 winners.
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It was only his second goal of the season, but the player himself thinks he’ll find the back of the net much more regularly if he’s given more minutes by the manager.
“It’s [about] getting that rhythm, that flow. For myself, I feel like I’m best when I’m like that playing regularly,” Sturridge told Liverpool’s website.
“But the manager picks the team and I’ll never cause any issues or problems in the camp because he’s the boss, I have a lot of respect for him and for his decisions.
“When I go onto the pitch it’s important for me to show what I can do.
“It doesn’t matter how many minutes you get, you’ve got to put your best foot forward and show what you can do for the team.
“I’m grateful for his faith in me today and hopefully I’ve repaid him with the goal.”
The striker is fully fit, but he’s not the explosive, dynamic forward he was in 2013/14, when he played alongside Luis Suarez. He’s undeniably lost his pace and the truth is we hardly ever see him sprinting anymore, let alone in behind.
Roberto Firmino suits our tactic more, but the Brazilian is a not a goalscorer, despite his header against Huddersfield.
We prefer him in one of the attacking midfield roles, although he won’t get in the team in these positions when Coutinho, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane are all fit.
Perhaps the Englishman will start midweek against Maribor, find the back of the net and get himself on a run.