THE transfer window is finally here. Relief for some of us who believe something good may yet be borne of this campaign or a chance for Brendan Rodgers to sign his own dismissal letter for those who believe otherwise. Despite these varying viewpoints however, there is no denying that this window is expected to be an active one for Liverpool FC. There are quite a number of holes to plug and the issue of sheer numbers is one that must be addressed.
Indisputably, the greatest concern during this window will be our attack and striking options. It’s therefore no wonder that we have been linked with quite a number of forwards prior to the window, the most echoing of these being Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge with whispers of terms already being agreed floating in the media. Him being very befitting of the youthful profile and outlook Rodgers and FSG more so are looking to create and uphold helped play up the initial speculation of what now more than not seems a done deal.
Sturridge in my eyes has got the potential to become a key player for any team. His versatility in forward roles is certainly a feather in his cap and his age means he still has room to improve under the right guidance. An impressive turnover of 11 goals from 28 league starts for Chelsea last season proves he will be in amongst the goals and his confidence is shown in the audacity of some of his long range efforts.
However, all these positives are sometimes overshadowed by his biggest flaw: Individuality.
Sturridge has yet to become a team player. It’s no secret that he likes to be and is good on the ball but he would be so much better if he brought others into play more often. His 85.9% pass completion rate in the EPL clearly indicates that he is a great passer of the ball, he just doesn’t do it as much as you’d expect. This is where guidance must come in.
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Much like Luis Suarez, Sturridge is not afraid to take on defenders and has good positioning and off-the-ball movement. What he needs to learn is how to play the simple ball (something Suarez seems to be getting better at). Far too many times I’ve seen him beat the same defender over and over without releasing a well-positioned team-mate.
I am of the view that Rodgers will be looking to play him and Suarez, both with their exceptional dribbling ability and versatility, either side of a central marksman (that could be Borini if he finds his scoring boots when he returns from injury), to provide a more robust threat on the attacking flanks of his favoured 4-3-3.
For this to succeed however, it is imperative that Sturridge becomes less of a one-man team. I am not saying that he should be discouraged from going all the way or trying his long-rangers; that would be taking away his game-changing potential. What I am saying is that he should be taught the composure to weigh the options available before making a decision on the pitch; to pass when there are team-mates in acres of space and to go it alone when he’s the furthest player forward and only two defenders away from a one-on-one situation, which truly is the mark of a world class forward.
Whether or not he will be a good addition all lies in the hands of his management and as one of Rodgers’ signings, I’m sure he (Rodgers) will work fervently to incorporate him into his system that is still under the battering-ram scrutiny of the Kop, something he’ll be hoping the likes of Sturridge can help him turn around.
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Rodgers couldn’t get the best out of anyone . Sturridge is a average player , will score a few but we need and deserve a lot lot better
He’s getting the best out of Enrique. Sterling, suso and shelvy all playing as good as they have. Downing and Henderson both much better under Rogers than Kenny.
Suarez playing his best football…
Your comment has no substance
Nonsense comment , do you even watch Liverpool ? Suarez has always been great . Suso , sterling are new anyway . Enrique was great for 5 months last season , Downing had his moments this year and last . Hendo hasnt changed much
Stevie , Skrtel, Agger , and even Borini and Sahin have all been worse players under BR
Suarez has score 50 goals in a season and starred in world cups , copa america etc . The others have played MUCH better elsewhere . The young ones havnt played before
So how is Rodgers getting best out of anybody ? Dumb comment
I disagree Luke. Rodgers needs that time to prove his point and we should give it him. Any improvement to an already thin squad is most welcome. (I must point out the word “improvement”)I believe Sturridge is a massive improvement on some players we have and feel he could be exceptional for us. Have a little faith and wait a while before condemning something that hasn’t even come to be yet!
Dexter, i would disagree with you totally.
On BR, that sorry excuse for a manager says ” Judge me after 10 games”. We went on to have our worse start since 1954, again. 20 games later we are behind his old team Swansea, West Brom (all with new managers and players) and Stoke sitting at 10th. We were beaten comprehensively by Villa who is just a point above the relegation zone and by Stoke. RH had similiar results and he was sacked. The players BR had brought in like Borini and Allen hadn’t exactlt set the Prem alight, so what makes you think he can do so witrh Strurridge?
Talking about Sturridge, successive managers at CFC had overlooked him and our ex-gaffer Rafa is selling him. Doesn’t this tells you something and doesn’t this bothers you?
If BR is great at bringing out the best in players, its still ok but he is not and we are shelling out 12 mill for other team’s reject. What about alternatives besides British players? What happened to our scouting team?
well said
As the funds in January will be tight, B Rodgers should ship out J Cole to QPR for £2m. And send Sahin back to Real Madrid as obviously he is not cutting it as shelvey and Henderson are both in front of him now.
And If Reina wants out and Arsenal want him, then B Rodgers should swap Reina for Walcott and £5M, they need an experienced Gk. We need creativity, pace, speed and goals at club.
And B Rodgers should buy two more players: J Butland (19) Of Birmingham for £4-£6M GK and M Diame(25) Of West Ham for £3-£4M DM
And two loan players: Jeffren(24) RWF Of Sporting Clube De Portugal and Gameiro of PSG FD.
And with those six players: BUTLAND GK, DIAME DM, STURRIDGE FD, WALCOTT FD and two Loan players of GAMIERO FD And JEFFREN.
Those players would help us push for top 4 over second half of season.
But in the summer the owners need to give B RODGERS a huge transfer chest similar to what they K Dalglish £75-£80M to bring in 6 players to take club to next level next year. 4 Attacking players of Gerrard and Suarez’s Calibre and 2 Defensive players.
4/Four Attacking players:
1: Willian(24) AM Of Shakhtar Donesk should be brought for £19-£23M
2: A Sanchez Of Barcelona(23)RWF Of Barcelona
should be brought for £19-£22M
3: Isco Of Malaga(20) should be brought for £14-£18M AM
4: B Arfa(25) Of Newcastle should be brought in swap deal with A Carroll and £10M LWF
2 Defensive players;
1: CB: A Pearce Of Reading(24) Or S Danns(25) Of Blackburn, one of these Centre backs should be brought to club for £4-£7M
2: LB: D Rose(22) Of Tottenham should be brought for £2-£4M to compete with Enrique
Those 6 players would change whole dimension of squad
A pathetic signing, much to with our ambitions. mediocre and unproven manger followed by signings of the same traits. Why don’t they look outside the Britain for once
oops typo
*the, bear with it, last thing i’d want is a bunch of spelling nazi’s down my throat
Sturridge would score more goals than Allen, Sterling, Henderson, Suso and Downing all together if he is fully fit, regular and manager has confidence in him.
If B Rodgers swaps Pepe for Walcott and £5M, then i think a front three of Suarez Walcott Sturridge will cause so many teams havoc and create and score many goals for the club.
Yes sure. Take that to your personal bank !
Sturridge is average player not LFC quality _ just like the manager .
A match made in averageville
A far better signing than downing henderson and carrol at the price..
All speculation about the likes & dislikes of Sturridge. He mught surprise LFC with his talents on the pitch … being an England player. Let’s not conclude nor jump into conclusion in what type of player LFC have contracted. Give him a chance.
If Sturridgge was coming here as a back up , coming on as a sub sometimes – i would be quite happy … but as a regular starter no way , 12m is too much .
Another mediocre player Rodgers is bringing in to add to the mush he got in summer
Is he tryin to turn us into Swansea?
Sturridge jst need some one telling him to stop his selfish play and he would turn out a big player and BR should go in for more professional signings and also drop Reina so that the number of goals we concede could be reduced, then lfc will be back to its old times