Is a fit Daniel Sturridge the equivalent to two new signings?

Last updated : 18 February 2023 By Ryan Bromilow

He is looking really sharp and to have him firing on all cylinders would be like having two new signings if we can keep him on the pitch and get him scoring goals. 

Those are the words of English International Adam Lallana, but how apt are they as Liverpool approach the new campaign? There is no doubting the ability that Daniel Sturridge possesses, since his arrival from Chelsea in the 2012/13 season, the forward has netted 46 goals alone in the Barclays Premier League, played a crucial part in the infamous 2013/14 campaign and is known on Merseyside for his clinical finishing when the Reds need him most. So going by these stats surely a fit Daniel Sturridge is the equivalent of two new signings?

However, due to his multiple injuries and his noticeable and long absences away from the game, how inevitable is it that the forward will struggle to deal with Jurgen Klopp’s high intensity play and pick up an injury early on?

In agreement with Adam Lallana

Daniel Sturridge has a great knack for finding the net just about every time he comes face to face with the opposition shot stopper. In a team where Klopp lacks a clear number nine, Sturridge offers a figurehead at the top of Liverpool’s attack and is arguably more clinical than Roberto Firmino, Liverpool’s new number nine. So in this respect, Sturridge offers a boost in a similar way a new signing would do to the Liverpool ranks. He offers competition to an otherwise safe spot for Roberto Firmino and his clinical nature in front of goal gives the Reds a new threat heading into the new season. 

In a campaign which promises to hand Liverpool several games, averaging two per week as they prepare to fight on four fronts this season, The Champions League, The Premier League, The FA Cup and The League Cup, a fit Sturridge allows Klopp to rest his preferred front man Firmino more often and offers a strong substitute to make a difference against a tough opposition.

If you also consider the crazy transfer market that we find ourselves in, where does a fit Daniel Sturridge rank? Well to find a season where Sturridge was fit for most of the campaign, you have to travel back to the 2013/14 season. He netted 24 goals in all competitions with 21 of those goals in the Premier League, coupled with the fact the forward is entering his peak years 27-30 at the age of 27, a fit Sturridge commands quite a transfer fee. 

So where does Sturridge rank?

With 25-goal man Romelu Lukaku leaving the Reds' rivals Everton for 75 Million pounds and Lacazette joining Arsenal for 52 Millions pounds after scoring 28 goals in Ligue 1, surely Sturridge is worth 60 - 65 million pounds, when you consider Ligue 1 is a slightly easier competition to score goals in and Sturridge’s tally is four behind Lukaku’s.

Now of course the market isn't as clear cut as that, but a fit Daniel Sturridge would certainly command a significant fee to lure him away from Anfield and I believe it would be so significant that it would be the equivalent to two new signings.

However.

To entertain this notion is great, but seriously, how long is it before you scroll down Liverpool FC Online in a few weeks time and the report reads Daniel Sturridge has picked up an injury in training and is a doubt for Liverpool’s visit to St Mary’s?

Sturridge has been hampered with multiple injuries since he joined in 2012 and once he has picked  up that injury, there is always a possibility that it will return. Klopp’s style of play commands high intensity pressing and a player needs to have excellent fitness levels to cope with Klopp’s demands.

It seems inevitable that Sturridge will struggle to cope with the incredible demands Klopp needs of his team. Lallana’s statement can also be called in to question when you consider who Liverpool need to fit the post of the “two new signings” and the impact that they could have on Liverpool’s fight for the title.

It is no secret Klopp wants to add Vigil van Dijk to the ranks of the Reds this summer and his addition, coupled with the possible arrival of Alex Oxlade Chamberlain or dare I say it a Renato Sanches would be far more worthwhile for me than a fit Daniel Sturridge.

Van Dijk’s aerial presence and the defensive stability he offers would be invaluable in Liverpool’s fight for the title. Adding a new midfielder in to the mix as well would certainly put Liverpool well on their way to ending that 27-year drought.

The question is then what would you prefer, a fit Daniel Sturridge or the addition of a Centre Back and a Midfielder?

I know what I would choose!

 

Follow Ryan on Twitter @ryanbromilow1