Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has defended striker Daniel Sturridge’s display against Manchester United last night. The 27 year old struggled to make an impact on the game as United played with a back six and played from deep for long stretches of the game.
While talking to the press after the match, the Reds boss was quoted by the Liverpool Echo as saying that Sturridge had been given no service by his team mates:
“It was a really difficult game for a striker, the way we played it wasn’t easy to enjoy for a striker. In the first half Phil made a brilliant run and wanted to pass to Daniel but Mane was free on the right. We had a really good attitude, the players worked really hard and tried everything, but only with the wrong tools.”
Sturridge was replaced by Adam Lallana on 59 minutes, and the midfielder’s energy made an instant impact on the game as the Reds upped the tempo. Jurgen Klopp’s men however only created two clear cut chances all night as well as one spectacular long range strike from Philippe Coutinho which forced United keeper David De Gea into a top draw save.
In a match similar to the Burnley game earlier in the season, the Reds had the lion share of possession but failed to open up the United defence. Most knew Jose Mourinho’s game plan would be to frustrate Liverpool, and unfortunately the Reds did not come up with an answer for it in the 90 minutes.
