Finally, the moment Liverpool fans have been waiting for is almost here. After a 4 and a half month absence which has deprived us of our best striker for virtually the entire season thus far, it appears Daniel Sturridge is set to make his long awaited comeback from injury in the very near future. After extensive specialist physiotherapy treatment in the USA, Sturridge returned to Melwood last week and is now in the final stages of his thorough rehab programme. This time round, the injury problem which has plagued him seems to have been properly corrected, and with any luck we’ll have Sturridge fit for the rest of the campaign.
QUALITY. Source: liverpoolfc.com
Sturridge’s return is vital for Liverpool. Despite a brutally disappointing Champions League exit at the group stage which deprived Sturridge from featuring in the competition at all, Liverpool remain, miraculously as it seems, in the race for a top 4 finish (not to mention the Europa League and 2 domestic cup competitions). The season has been extremely underwhelming to this point, although our recent form suggests significant progress. Sturridge’s return is timely and could be that catalyst to build some real momentum and finish the second half of the season very strongly.
What we’ve lacked all season is a consistent source of goals. None of our strikers have been finding the net anywhere near regularly enough, which has contributed to a series of frustrating results and lack of clinical edge up top. Balotelli has yet to register a league goal, Borini hasn’t scored all season, and Lambert has just 1 in the league. This is pretty dismal by all accounts, so the return of the man who banged in 25 goals in all competitions last season is the perfect remedy.
Sturridge, when fit, is up there with the very best in the league. He has pace in abundance, clinical finishing and that bit of flair we’ve been lacking. The dilemma for Brendan Rodgers is, how do we fit him into our side? The recent up turn in form has come following the deployment of a 3-4-3 formation, which has enabled us to create more, whilst staying more solid at the back.
The system is working very well, and it would make sense to continue using it when Sturridge returns. Why fix what isn’t broken? If Rodgers does persist with 3-4-3, Sturridge will take the central striking role, which has been attempted to a degree of success by Raheem Sterling. With Sturridge back, we can expect Sterling to shift out wide into an inside forward position, with Coutinho on the other side. This forms a dynamic, creative and pacey front 3 which promises an abundance of goals. The problem here, is that Adam Lallana was playing the inside forward role, just off the striker, to great effect before his injury. With the excellent news today that he’s set to make an early comeback over the next few days, this leaves a major dilemma as to which one of Coutinho, Lallana or Sterling has to settle for a place on the bench. It’s very difficult to call, as all three have been in good form. One solution is to move Sterling to right wing back, which would accommodate both Coutinho and Lallana, but this would be at the expense of Lazar Markovic whose recent performance was so impressive. Arguably, this limits Sterling’s influence as well as he is more effective further forward. It’s a good choice to have, and with a busy fixture list, there will be rotation, so the ability to have such strength in attacking options is a refreshing change.
Having said this, it is possible that Rodgers will revert to a more standard 4 at the back formation when Sturridge returns. The advantage of this is that he can fit Lallana, Coutinho and Sterling all in the side. Perhaps we could see the diamond formation, with Sterling alongside Sturridge, with Lallana in the central attacking midfield role and Coutinho as the left sided central midfielder, Henderson on the right and either Lucas or Emre Can holding at the base of the diamond. This would enable Rodgers to fit his most creative players into the side, but the likes of Markovic, Balotelli and Gerrard would struggle to find a place. Furthermore, Moreno has excelled in a wing back role and looks more comfortable given the license to push forward than he does in a more disciplined left back role, whilst Skrtel has also looked more assured as part of a back 3. Alternatively, we could play a 4-3-3 with Lallana and Sterling either side of Sturridge, and Coutinho part of a midfield 3, as the Brazilian has the tenacity to perform his defensive duties in a deeper role. The 4 at the back could work, but should Rodgers really compromise a system which has been so effective recently?
Personally, I like the idea of keeping with 3-4-3. We are defending better, and creating more chances. When Sturridge is back, these chances will be converted to goals more often than not. One of Lallana, Coutinho and Sterling will have to be on the bench in this system, but rotation will be necessary with the amount of games we have to play. On the other hand, a 4 at the back formation is appealing as it lets all of our best players get on the pitch at once. Whichever option Rodgers goes with, Sturridge’s return is a huge positive for the team and will contribute significantly in the vital months approaching. Not only is he extremely talented on an individual level, but he will give the other players a lift and provide that movement which will enable the likes of Henderson, Coutinho and Sterling to thrive upon and reignite the partnerships which were so effective last campaign. Touch wood, his injury woes are behind him, and Sturridge can help drive us to that lucrative top 4 spot. It’s frustrating to have been without him for so long, as I believe we’d be far higher up the table had he been fit. But now he’s finally back, we could turn the season into a successful one. We may not be making any signing this January, but you can guarantee the return of Sturridge will feel like one.
Red Regista
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