Repaying Liverpool faith should be striker’s only concern

It appears an answer to the complex riddle that is Daniel Sturridge’s fitness cannot be found.

However, you don’t have to be the greatest physician in the land (or in Boston) to realise the striker owes his employers and fans a debt of gratitude for sticking by him through all his various injuries as he nears comeback number 17.

Apparent Rift

Reports in the morning gossip columns suggesting Sturridge could angle for a move away in the summer are sure to rile Kopites for that very reason.

The Independent claim comments by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made near the start of Sturridge’s latest period of playing inactivity have opened up a rift that may not be easily repairable.

Klopp intimated that his charge may have to decipher between tolerable pain and “serious pain” if he was to resurrect his threatened Liverpool career.

Given the escalating number of false fitness dawns Klopp has had to deal with during his short time in charge at Anfield, it seems ludicrous that a small show of frustration from his manager, could upset Sturridge to the extent he would leave.

Value to the Reds

When fit (cue laughter) there is no doubting that Sturridge’s value to Liverpool is immense, proof of that can be found in his scoring record for the Reds.

The former Chelsea frontman has hit 37 Premier League goals in just 60 top-flight outings since being rescued from the wilderness of Stamford Bridge.

This world-class ratio is only marred by the lack of appearances, which is at the crux of the matter.

The best available treatment

Despite offering their man the finest medical attention available over in America, niggling injuries continue to pop up like daffodils in the spring every time Sturridge nears contention for a comeback.

Klopp is well within his rights to keep his player on the fringes until he feels he has completed the minimum amount of full training to make it into a matchday squad.

The England ace hasn’t featured in any competition since playing a cameo role at Newcastle on December 6th in the Premier League, and it is thought he isn’t due to be ready until the forthcoming FA Cup replay with West Ham.

Football must do talking

To avoid a media-driven spat damaging relations further, Sturridge must seize whatever opportunity he can to start showing Liverpool he can be their talisman again.

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