Daniel Sturridge was pulled after the hour mark by Jurgen Klopp last night and Jamie Carragher has questioned the striker’s long-term role under the German.
This term, most of Liverpool’s best performances have come with Roberto Firmino leading the line and Sturridge on the sidelines – and we looked a less dynamic offensive side against Manchester United with the Englishman up top.
“This was a massive opportunity for Daniel Sturridge on his 100th appearance for Liverpool,” Carragher said in the post-match analysis, cited by the Express.
“Last week with England against Slovenia he failed to impress.
“At Anfield he found it very difficult to get a touch and when he did it wasn’t always pretty or productive.
“There was a moment shortly before half-time when he tried to control the ball following a tidy pass from Philippe Coutinho, only for it to trickle into the path of Paul Pogba who darted away from the striker.
“Liverpool’s fans made their frustrations known.
“There’s a concern that he can’t do what Jurgen Klopp wants. He certainly made life difficult for himself.”
Sturridge is forgiven a lack of intense work-rate because of his undeniable ability in the opposition box, but the fact is that the 27-year-old’s failed to score in the Premier League this term…
Worryingly, it looks to us like Sturridge doesn’t trust his legs anymore. He used to have blistering pace, but we can’t remember the last time he played on a defender’s shoulder and offered us something in behind.
When his touch is also off, he’s a passenger, and we’d be mightily surprised if he started next weekend against West Brom – especially now Adam Lallana is back fit.