The news Liverpool supporters have been waiting to hear for some time: Daniel Sturridge is finally back from injury and available for selection. The England international 26, missed the majority of last season with thigh, calf and hip problems, racking up just 747 minutes of Premier League football in 2014/15. He still managed a respectable four goals in this time, but is hoping to be back for good after his treatment kept him out of action for months.
Manager Brendan Rodgers will the most delighted with the news, but is expected to rest him for their weekend clash against Manchester United. Sturridge could make the bench for their following weekend outing, however, and will provide Liverpool with a real attacking threat. Supporters seem to have forgotten how much the former Manchester City and Chelsea man impressed in 2013/14, scoring 22 goals in 29 league games. His overall record at Liverpool is 41 goals in 67 games.
Sturridge has looked as happy as can be to be back training with his teammates, and the feeling will be mutual given his impressive scoring tally in a Liverpool shirt. He’s a shoo-in to be back in the England side if he can get his match fitness back, as well as some form, but Rodgers isn’t likely to rush the striker back and risk another setback. Daniel Sturridge is going to have to be patient for his opportunities in the first-half of the season, but having him back is a major boost.
“Hopefully (Benteke’s influence) goes a way to helping Daniel Sturridge be the player that he can be. I think he took his foot off the gas a little bit last season. I know he had injury problems but I don’t think he really got up to full pelt, so I’d like to see him get a full base of fitness so he can show us the player that he is, said former Liverpool striker David Fairclough.”
Christian Benteke has been assuming the centre-forward role in the 26-year-old’s absence, and has fairly well so far. The Belgian international has netted his first Liverpool goal, and has been impressing fans with his expert hold-up play. He won’t want to relinquish his place to Sturridge when the English returns enough to start for Liverpool, so Rodgers has some difficult decisions to eventually make. Sturridge should miss the Manchester United fixture this weekend, but has time on his side to turn his bad luck around.
