Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge has long been linked with a move away from Anfield after too many unfortunate injury-laden years, and with clubs like Inter Milan and Sevilla reportedly interested in bringing in the talented striker, the writing may be on the wall. The news will be warmly welcomed by many of the Liverpool loyal, who have grown tired of Sturridge’s continuous time off the pitch, yet many others may still feel the England international still has plenty to offer.
Even when fully fit, the pacey attacker has constantly struggled to make the starting line-up, while fellow forwards Danny Ings, summer recruit Dominic Solanke and even youngster Ben Woodburn have been given the nod ahead of the once-formidable frontman. It truly is an unfortunate situation for Sturridge, who has found it increasingly hard to string together successive appearances in the squad, never mind successive starting roles in a hugely competitive Liverpool side. However, as they say, football is a business at the end of the day, and if such an issue is holding the club back then expect nothing else than for Jurgen Klopp to offload the forward when given an irrefutable opportunity, or when he simply cannot deal with another injury in an abnormally lengthy list.
The deadly finisher has always found the net in the Premier League, whether it be with Bolton, Chelsea or Manchester City, while even in his first season at Anfield he found the net ten times in 14 appearances. If he does move on, he will of course be remembered for that sensational season in front of goal, where the England international starred alongside Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling under Brendan Rodgers. The forward bagged a remarkable 21 goals in that campaign, but has managed just four, eight, three and currently two goals in the respective injury-hit seasons that have followed.
That phenomenal campaign for the Reds was incidentally the last time Sturridge managed more than 20 league games in a single season, a statistic that suggests exactly why it may be time for Klopp to give up on the forward, and consequently why countless clubs are refusing to meet Liverpool’s asking price. The 28-year-old has a year and half remaining on his contract at Anfield, yet hasn’t represented the Reds on the field since early December. Fans may also have grown frustrated with their ageing striker, with several strongly believing that his spell at the club has come to an end.
It would undeniably be a real loss for Liverpool to lose such a talented forward, but it may be time for Klopp to follow his head instead of his heart for once, and take what he can get for Sturridge while clubs are still interested and while his value remains reasonably high. A hugely disappointing few years for one of the league’s deadliest finishers may finally have come to an end, yet Sturridge will always be remembered by the Anfield faithful for good reasons only, none more so than that sensational season in front of goal.