Liverpool fans must be fed up with Daniel Sturridge and it’s hard to blame them.
The striker’s failure to make last night’s match squad for the win over Bordeaux brought about this quite remarkable stat.
Since Liverpool signed Daniel Sturridge.
Matches played by Liverpool – 144
Matches missed by Sturridge – 72 #lfc— DIE hard REDS 🇳🇵 (@WerDhr12) November 27, 2015
When he is fit, Sturridge’s goal-scoring record is stunning, but unfortunately since the end of 2013-14 and the departure of Luis Suarez, Sturridge has broken down more times than our old Nissan Micra.
Despite being passed fit earlier this week to rejoin the Liverpool first team, Sturridge apparently discovered a foot pain yesterday which ruled him out of the game shortly before kick off.
Jurgen Klopp’s predecessor Brendan Rodgers previously hinted that some of Sturridge’s fitness issues may be as much mental and physical and his new manager seems to agree, claiming the England man needs to differentiate between “what is serious pain and what is only pain”.
“His body had to adapt to the new intensity of training and learn what is serious pain and what is only pain,” Klopp said ahead of Liverpool’s home game against Swansea on Sunday.
“Everyone wants him back on the pitch but we all have to learn. Training for him was intensive. But we have to stay patient. I am sorry for you, sorry for me, sorry for him.
“All the players from yesterday are in good shape. Does Daniel have a chance for Sunday? I don’t know. But five weeks in a row without playing means he needs matches.”
Klopp’s slight dig at Sturridge is in stark contrast to how he dealt with questions about club captian Jordan Henderson’s battle to regain fitness.
Klopp on Henderson: "He wants to play but we have to wait. We'll see every day how he adapts to the intensity of the previous day."
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) November 27, 2015
Klopp "Henderson is always (knocking) on the door, wanting to play. But he needs to be perfect physically. When in that shape we can use him
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) November 27, 2015
There’s no doubt of Sturridge’s value to Klopp if fully fit. Sadly, for Liverpool fans, that ‘if’ becomes a bigger factor with each passing week.
