BT Sport pundit Chris Sutton has thrown down the gauntlet to Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, claiming he must prove his mental strength by remaining in contention for the first-team.
The England international scored his first competitive goal for nine months as he rounded off the Reds’ comprehensive opening day win over West Ham on Sunday following an impressive pre-season campaign under Jurgen Klopp.
Former Premier League striker Sutton has now challenged Sturridge to prove his mental resilience, a trait which has previously come under fire from Klopp.
As quoted by the Liverpool Echo in their live blog (Tuesday, 15:45), Sutton said: “You talk about wanting to love him, I think that Liverpool fans want him to play and playing is so important. That’s been his issue and Klopp called him out over it, didn’t he, he thought he was weak mentally.
“We know how talented he is. I mean last pre-season, didn’t he score a wonderful chip and then got injured again? But he does seem, whether we like it or not, there is some mental block and he has to prove it by playing a run of games.
“But, I tell you what, if Liverpool do get him fit and up and running, I mean you talk about the signings they’ve made, that will be another new signing. But, with Daniel Sturridge, we sort of say it every year.”
OPINION
A lack of mental strength has been the criticism levelled at Sturridge by many people in recent years, including Liverpool boss Klopp. However, if you take a step back and remember all the injury troubles that Sturridge has endured throughout his career, it becomes easy to see why he may be viewed that way. Such devastating spells on the sidelines are likely to give anyone doubts about their ability, and Sturridge is only human. While Sutton is right in saying that the striker has flattered to deceive on a return several times, this pre-season has looked different. The 28-year-old has looked hungry and keen to impress, and has even spoken out on his renewed love for Liverpool after his failed loan spell at West Bromwich Albion. His opening day goal against West Ham will only serve to give him confidence in his ability, and hopefully he can stay fit to prove to Sutton and everyone else that he has both the mental and physical strength to become a force again in the Premier League.
