Daniel Sturridge’s scowl is the 21st century’s Mona Lisa’s smile.
Not since Leonardo Da Vinci painted that enigmatic smirk on the visage of Lisa del Giocondo has a face and its expressions been as scrutinised as that of the Liverpool striker.
He is substituted, people examine his reaction for signs of displeasure, ignoring the fact that no professional sportsman worth his salt ever wants to be withdrawn early.
He is left on when another attacker is substituted and people suggest the often-injured England international is unhappy with NOT being substituted.
It seems he cannot win.
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The 26 year old has not always helped himself. His frequent absences due to injuries often considered less-than-serious by Jurgen Klopp led to the striker contemplating his future at the club earlier this season, after a series of rumours began doing the rounds about his reasons for not playing.
In an interview with the Mirror, Sturridge reiterated his desire to play and tried to explain why he often looks pissed off when being substituted. Unsurprisingly, it is because he is pissed off with being substituted.
“Maybe people don’t see this, but I am someone who wants to play every minute of every match, so maybe when I’m not starting or when I’m taken off, it’s hard to take… of course it’s hard to take because you want to be on the pitch every single match, every single minute,” said Sturridge.
“For myself I’m feeling so good right now, feeling great and my body is at a level where I’m able to play however many games a week repeatedly and not break down. I am doing everything in my power to be out there on the pitch, and I am feeling good as well.”
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Despite being an unused substitute in the 1-0 defeat away to Villarreal April has been a good month for Sturridge, who has scored four goals in seven appearances.
The ankle injury suffered by Divock Origi should also provide further opportunities to prove his worth ahead of Euro 2016.
That won’t stop the world and their dog questioning his every expression between now and the end of the season, of course.
