Deadwood: Has Sturridge been left behind at Liverpool?

When the full time whistle blew at Anfield on Monday night to confirm Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United, much of the focus was on Ander Herrera’s man of the match display. The Spaniard, to put it bluntly, was superb on Merseyside, as his WhoScored rating (9.70) suggests. He made more tackles and interceptions combined (17) than any other player has managed in a single Premier League match this season as the combative 27-year-old proved just why he is worthy of a regular starting spot under Jose Mourinho. 

In what was a fairly balanced affair, the game turned in Liverpool’s favour on the hour mark as Adam Lallana was introduced to the action, with David De Gea and a fine Antonio Valencia tackle denying the hosts all the spoils. The England international has become a key play under Jurgen Klopp, though the German opted against rushing the midfielder back into action following his recovery from injury. It coincided with Daniel Sturridge’s withdrawal from action, with the striker making way for Lallana following a poor showing against United. 

Rather than provide an effective focal point in attack, Sturridge proved to be more a hindrance than a help. Indeed, only Paul Pogba (6) had more unsuccessful touches than Sturridge (4) in the stalemate, and considering the Liverpool man mustered just 22 touches during his hour of action, it was a poor return. With that, it was little shock to see Sturridge earn a WhoScored rating of just 5.95, his second lowest in a Premier League start in a Liverpool shirt. 

While Sturridge has endured his fair share of injury worries in the past, the 27-year-old frontman is back at full fitness, with Monday’s welcome of United his ideal chance to really consolidate a first team spot. It’s fair to say he failed to grasp the chance. If anything, Sturridge clogged what has been a wholly fluid Liverpool attack. The Reds have earned countless admirers for their movement in the final third this season, with Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane working effectively in front of goal. 

On Monday, Coutinho was dropped into midfield to accommodate Sturridge, which in turn limited the Brazilian’s influence. Furthermore, rather than have Firmino operate in the false nine role he has excelled in this season, earning a WhoScored rating of 7.40 as the leading frontman, the Brazilian international started on the left flank and with a natural inclination to drift infield, his impact was minimised by Sturridge’s unwillingness to float across the final third to open up space for his attacking teammates. 

Firmino’s WhoScored rating against United was 6.81, his second worst in a Premier League game this season. Mourinho’s side may have sat deep to frustrate the Liverpool attack and limit space in front of their goal, but Sturridge did little but slow the hosts’ attack or, worse still, be at fault for them breaking down entirely. Ultimately, Sturridge’s faults come down to a lack of versatility. Coutinho, Firmino and Mane are all capable of filling any role along the front three, while Sturridge struggles when pushed out wide. This isn’t a critique on Sturridge’s approach to the game, but rather his ineffectiveness in this particular system. 

When chances are created for the striker, few can boast the sort of conversion figures that Sturridge has posted since his time at the club. He’s scored the sixth most goals (43) in the Premier League over the period he’s been at Liverpool. The Reds, meanwhile, are playing more key passes per 90 (14.9) than any other Premier League team this term. Sturridge, though, is having fewer shots per 90 this season (3.6) than in any of his previous campaigns since his arrival at the club. The general impression is that while Liverpool are progressing as a team, Sturridge is being left behind. 

This is particularly notable in the work he does off the ball, or in this case, lack thereof. Klopp readily implements a high intensity, pressing system, which requires attackers to carry out defensive duties in order to ease pressure on the backline and create chances. Firmino (2.6 tackles and interceptions combined per game), Coutinho (2.1) and Mane (2) are each carrying out the necessary responsibilities. Comparatively, Sturridge is averaging 0.1 tackles and interceptions per league game this term, bringing to light his statistically calculated WhoScored weakness of ‘defensive contribution’. 

Klopp, though, sympathised with Sturridge, after Monday's 0-0 draw with United saying: "It was a really difficult game for a striker, the way we played it wasn't easy to enjoy for a striker." The frontman proved how effective he can be in Liverpool's attack with a strong showing against Leicester. However, his outing at Anfield at the beginning of the week suggests his long-term future may yet lie away from Liverpool, with the club readily developing without Sturridge.

Now with Lallana back to full fitness, it now seems logical that Sturridge will once more be relegated to the bench, particularly if the former’s form this season and cameo on Monday night are anything to go by. The striker looks at a loss at this point in time, with Sturridge struggling with the demands that come with playing as the lone frontman for Liverpool this term and, with first team chances few and far between, some are already of the opinion that this season will be his last on Merseyside.

Does Sturridge still have a long-term future at Liverpool? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below