Jurgen Klopp wants to use Daniel Sturridge as an explosive attacker who does his best work in ‘moments’ rather than prolonged, gruelling sessions.
This, to us, shows he perhaps wants to utilise the Englishman as an impact sub or as a starter without the responsibility of winning the ball back and constant pressing.
SEE MORE:
Klopp: ‘Proper Scouser’ Curtis Jones is not shy and is ‘surprising’ seniors with his confidence
(In many ways, Mo Salah was given this luxury last season – one of the reasons he managed 44 goals in all competitions.)
During pre-season, Sturridge has climbed above Dom Solanke, Danny Ings and Divock Origi in the pecking order – and it’s looking likely that providing he can stay fit – he’ll be used as Roberto Firmino’s primary backup.
“We’re not in doubt – and nobody was ever in doubt – about his quality. In this moment he looks really good, to be honest. That’s cool – really cool for him and cool for us,” the manager told the official website.
“[It’s] a very important moment for him. I am in talks with him, what he feels. I don’t want to make him the most physically strongest player in the squad or whatever.
“The most physically strong player in the squad cannot play football like Daniel Sturridge and he has no possibility to be that, to be the marathon man of the team, but he can be a very decisive player. It’s a good moment and hopefully it will stay like that.”
Of course, with Sturridge, everybody is excited until he gets another injury – and we’re not stupid enough to think this won’t happen again…
After all, it has done for the past four seasons, and as a result we really don’t want to put too much pressure on him.
It’s fantastic to see him in good spirits at the moment though, and if he can maintain his summer form into the new campaign with no niggles, we’ll have an offensive outlet of genuine class to call upon.
What’s interesting is that on occasion he’s been used just off the forward this summer, picking up pockets of space and looking to play passes. He has the vision and touch to do this, too.