Danny Murphy claimed that Liverpool attacker Daniel Sturridge could be the difference when it comes to winning the Premier League this season.
The BBC pundit, who is seen at times on Match of the Day, shared that while he is aware the 29-year-old wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea that he believed the forward could play an important role for the Reds this season.
Murphy raved about Sturridge, who divides opinion, but shared that the player’s quality can never be doubted.
“For Liverpool he has got 67 goals in 140 games, that’s basically one in two, and if you’re a one in two striker you shouldn’t be sitting on the bench anywhere,” stated the former Reds midfielder on talkSPORT (Monday October 1st, 10:20am).
“But because of the way Liverpool have stuck by him, in terms of giving him a massive contract in that year they nearly won the league, when he played up with Suarez and by the way that year he got 21 goals in 29 games.
“His goalscoring ability isn’t questioned, his ability isn’t even in question for me, there has been talk about his mentality that he doesn’t play unless he’s 100% and physically we know all the problems he has had, but is he good enough to be playing at the highest level? Yes of course, for me.
“The best second striker in the Premier League by a mile now as Jesus has dipped a bit, Son or Llorente aren’t on same level as him in terms of second strikers, you could argue Rashford maybe but he’s not as natural as a goalscorer.
“So Liverpool if they keep him fit and happy, i.e coming off the bench, playing, starting certain games and stuff then he could be the difference, he really could as you could then have two players with 20+ goals or even three with Salah, Firmino and Sturridge.”
Broadcaster Jim White then directly asked Murphy whether he was stating whether he meant the forward could be the difference in winning the league and the pundit responded.
“Yep, could well be,” Murphy continue to admit.
“He’s not everyone’s cup of tea but you can’t question his ability.”
OPINION
This is some praise indeed by Murphy as he practically gushed about Sturridge and he continued to rave about the forward’s quality through his stint on Jim White’s show on talkSPORT on Monday. It’s interesting that the BBC pundit acknowledged that the player is divisive among supporters, pundits and general footballing world as it’s hard to argue that he isn’t. Sturridge is on a bumper £120,000-a-week (Source: Spotrac) so when you consider that he is not a first-choice option at Anfield nor is he guaranteed to stay fit due to his terrible injury record, then some will question whether he is worth that level on investment. Yet those who believe that are no doubt keeping quiet at the moment as the forward has scored in all of his last three outings. Sturridge scored a beautiful goal in his last match against Chelsea, one worthy of any highlight reel, in order to rescue a valuable point from the Reds’ clash with their Premier League rivals. So when you think that the forward is capable of earning his side points through his antics then perhaps, Murphy may be right to suggest he could make the difference in the race to the league title.
