Daniel Sturridge (Contract Expired)

An interesting piece this;

Liverpool were patient waiting for Daniel Sturridge - now it's his turn to be considerate to Jürgen Klopp

The presence of an extremely talented individual player often seems to be a cause of pain as much as serenity for managers.

When there is a gulf in class between a footballer and his team-mates, there is an inevitable potential for tension.

Every individual match-winning performance becomes the focus of attention; press conferences become single issue events lavishing praise on the player; injuries are perceived as catastrophic and recoveries a source of salvation.

If those around the particular player aren’t contributing so much, transfer hype shadows him: “How long can he put up with the mediocrity around him?”

And if the player is fit and for some reason not selected, there is an incandescence expressed on his behalf. The constant ‘me parties’ can be tedious.

Every manager seeks to create a team not only complementary to his star performer’s ability, but one in which he is a contributor rather than the focal point. Only then do you have a side capable of being successful.

Over the past 20 years, one of Liverpool’s many problems is they’ve too often had teams possessing a supreme individual talent who too often outshone the rest.

For a while it was Steve McManaman, then Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Luis Suárez and, for a brief period most recently, Daniel Sturridge.

Whether it was Gérard Houllier, Rafa Benítez or Brendan Rodgers, they knew that their first task in constructing a side capable of challenging was to stop relying so much on a star man. It meant their prize asset would have to be compromised - sometimes a little, occasionally a lot (once or twice too much). Then everyone else would look better.

Each manager had a bit of success. Houllier’s 2001 treble side did not rely on Owen, despite him winning the Ballon d’Or that season. Houllier was able to rotate the England striker (he did not start the League Cup final that season), protecting his hamstrings to get more from him. Supporters who look fondly at that era celebrate Sami Hyypia, Didi Hamann, Jamie Carragher and Gary McAllister.

Benítez won the Champions League and FA Cup in 2005 and 2006 largely because of Gerrard, but the most consistent Premier League performance came in 2009 because of the Carragher/Hyypia defensive pairing and a midfield including Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso, allied to the striking presence of Fernando Torres.

Many still argue Rodgers’ near miss in pursuit of the title was all about Suárez, but in the Uruguayan’s first two seasons Liverpool finished 8th and 7th. It was when Rodgers tweaked the formation and Sturridge was alongside him, allied to the emergence of Raheem Sterling, that one of the most dynamic strikeforces in the country was created. Suarez played much of the title bid season in a wide-attacking role in order to accommodate Sturridge. Compromise worked.

The difference for  Jürgen Klopp when compared with Houllier inheriting Owen, Benítez Gerrard and Rodgers Suárez, is Liverpool’s best player was injured when he arrived. By then, of course, we were delivering our weekly Sturridge dispatches. They’ve barely stopped since.

It was the worst of both worlds for Klopp last October. Not only was every press conference dominated by questions about the contribution and fitness of Sturridge, he was unable to select him. Although it seems to irk the England striker even to mention this statement of fact - as though it is an act of the most intolerable cruelty – his appearance record was appalling.

It would appear many think it was Klopp’s duty to sit around thinking everything will be fine once Sturridge returned (just as Rodgers did in his final six months). Never mind forward planning, Klopp had to indulge the idea of building a team that would be complete once his fully-fit goalscorer slotted into a central forward role.

Evidently, Klopp is rather more astute. The 'we should build a team around Sturridge' ship sailed into the distance long ago.

Indeed, many of those taking the 'why isn’t Sturridge starting exam?' at Tottenham last Saturday demonstrated they have not done their revision. How swiftly they've forgotten Klopp's first fixture as Liverpool manager - at White Hart Lane - when Sturridge travelled to North London but said he could not play on the eve of the game. Let me assure you there were plenty of 'death stares' around Merseyside when that news filtered out before kick-off, too.

Since then, Sturridge’s injuries appear to have taken some pace out of his legs. There was a moment in the second half of the Europa League final, and at Burnley last weekend, when Sturridge was sent beyond a defence but did not have the capacity to make a sprint. It was worrying. It may be mental rather than physical – understandable caution perhaps – and hopefully not beyond remedy. Nevertheless, Klopp is correct to conclude the time is long overdue for the player to adapt to the system rather than persist with the idea the system and everyone else must adapt to the player.

The landscape has changed for the better at Liverpool because of this. On the basis of his first three games, it won’t just be questions about Sturridge Klopp is fending off this season. Sadio Mané, playing the ‘wide striker’ role to perfection, could become the subject of our obsession. Klopp won’t want that either as, like those before him, he recognises only a multi-faceted team can be successful.

Sturridge can be as frustrated as he likes. He can complain as often as he wants.  Those who want him in the side - in his position of choice - can make as many appeals on his behalf as they wish in the forlorn hope anyone who matters at Liverpool cares what they think.

History at Anfield shows the best way for Sturridge to win medals with Liverpool is to realise no team of Klopp’s will rely on his selection, or any single player. It’s a message he must also have heard when he was at Chelsea and Manchester City.

Twelve months ago Sturridge was the absentee whose return every Liverpool fan, coach and board member craved. His absence was debilitating to himself and the club. Now he is a fit, he is one of numerous striking ‘options’. He'll still play. He'll still play a lot. Liverpool have invested a lot of time and money waiting for him to be available again. The least he can do is invest a little time and patience in the Liverpool manager to use him as and when appropriate.

The questions may still be all about Sturridge, but the destiny of the team is not.

As this transfer window comes to a close, that it is one of the surest signs of healthy progress at Anfield.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/08/29/liverpool-were-patient-waiting-for-daniel-sturridge---now-its-hi/

An interesting piece this;

Liverpool were patient waiting for Daniel Sturridge - now it's his turn to be considerate to Jürgen Klopp

The presence of an extremely talented individual player often seems to be a cause of pain as much as serenity for managers.

When there is a gulf in class between a footballer and his team-mates, there is an inevitable potential for tension.

Every individual match-winning performance becomes the focus of attention; press conferences become single issue events lavishing praise on the player; injuries are perceived as catastrophic and recoveries a source of salvation.

If those around the particular player aren’t contributing so much, transfer hype shadows him: “How long can he put up with the mediocrity around him?”

And if the player is fit and for some reason not selected, there is an incandescence expressed on his behalf. The constant ‘me parties’ can be tedious.

Every manager seeks to create a team not only complementary to his star performer’s ability, but one in which he is a contributor rather than the focal point. Only then do you have a side capable of being successful.

Over the past 20 years, one of Liverpool’s many problems is they’ve too often had teams possessing a supreme individual talent who too often outshone the rest.

For a while it was Steve McManaman, then Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Luis Suárez and, for a brief period most recently, Daniel Sturridge.

Whether it was Gérard Houllier, Rafa Benítez or Brendan Rodgers, they knew that their first task in constructing a side capable of challenging was to stop relying so much on a star man. It meant their prize asset would have to be compromised - sometimes a little, occasionally a lot (once or twice too much). Then everyone else would look better.

Each manager had a bit of success. Houllier’s 2001 treble side did not rely on Owen, despite him winning the Ballon d’Or that season. Houllier was able to rotate the England striker (he did not start the League Cup final that season), protecting his hamstrings to get more from him. Supporters who look fondly at that era celebrate Sami Hyypia, Didi Hamann, Jamie Carragher and Gary McAllister.

Benítez won the Champions League and FA Cup in 2005 and 2006 largely because of Gerrard, but the most consistent Premier League performance came in 2009 because of the Carragher/Hyypia defensive pairing and a midfield including Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso, allied to the striking presence of Fernando Torres.

Many still argue Rodgers’ near miss in pursuit of the title was all about Suárez, but in the Uruguayan’s first two seasons Liverpool finished 8th and 7th. It was when Rodgers tweaked the formation and Sturridge was alongside him, allied to the emergence of Raheem Sterling, that one of the most dynamic strikeforces in the country was created. Suarez played much of the title bid season in a wide-attacking role in order to accommodate Sturridge. Compromise worked.

The difference for  Jürgen Klopp when compared with Houllier inheriting Owen, Benítez Gerrard and Rodgers Suárez, is Liverpool’s best player was injured when he arrived. By then, of course, we were delivering our weekly Sturridge dispatches. They’ve barely stopped since.

It was the worst of both worlds for Klopp last October. Not only was every press conference dominated by questions about the contribution and fitness of Sturridge, he was unable to select him. Although it seems to irk the England striker even to mention this statement of fact - as though it is an act of the most intolerable cruelty – his appearance record was appalling.

It would appear many think it was Klopp’s duty to sit around thinking everything will be fine once Sturridge returned (just as Rodgers did in his final six months). Never mind forward planning, Klopp had to indulge the idea of building a team that would be complete once his fully-fit goalscorer slotted into a central forward role.

Evidently, Klopp is rather more astute. The 'we should build a team around Sturridge' ship sailed into the distance long ago.

Indeed, many of those taking the 'why isn’t Sturridge starting exam?' at Tottenham last Saturday demonstrated they have not done their revision. How swiftly they've forgotten Klopp's first fixture as Liverpool manager - at White Hart Lane - when Sturridge travelled to North London but said he could not play on the eve of the game. Let me assure you there were plenty of 'death stares' around Merseyside when that news filtered out before kick-off, too.

Since then, Sturridge’s injuries appear to have taken some pace out of his legs. There was a moment in the second half of the Europa League final, and at Burnley last weekend, when Sturridge was sent beyond a defence but did not have the capacity to make a sprint. It was worrying. It may be mental rather than physical – understandable caution perhaps – and hopefully not beyond remedy. Nevertheless, Klopp is correct to conclude the time is long overdue for the player to adapt to the system rather than persist with the idea the system and everyone else must adapt to the player.

The landscape has changed for the better at Liverpool because of this. On the basis of his first three games, it won’t just be questions about Sturridge Klopp is fending off this season. Sadio Mané, playing the ‘wide striker’ role to perfection, could become the subject of our obsession. Klopp won’t want that either as, like those before him, he recognises only a multi-faceted team can be successful.

Sturridge can be as frustrated as he likes. He can complain as often as he wants.  Those who want him in the side - in his position of choice - can make as many appeals on his behalf as they wish in the forlorn hope anyone who matters at Liverpool cares what they think.

History at Anfield shows the best way for Sturridge to win medals with Liverpool is to realise no team of Klopp’s will rely on his selection, or any single player. It’s a message he must also have heard when he was at Chelsea and Manchester City.

Twelve months ago Sturridge was the absentee whose return every Liverpool fan, coach and board member craved. His absence was debilitating to himself and the club. Now he is a fit, he is one of numerous striking ‘options’. He'll still play. He'll still play a lot. Liverpool have invested a lot of time and money waiting for him to be available again. The least he can do is invest a little time and patience in the Liverpool manager to use him as and when appropriate.

The questions may still be all about Sturridge, but the destiny of the team is not.

As this transfer window comes to a close, that it is one of the surest signs of healthy progress at Anfield.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/08/29/liverpool-were-patient-waiting-for-daniel-sturridge---now-its-hi/

What a fantastic piece.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-relations-between-daniel-sturridge-8724044


Star's face was a picture as boss who has been playing him out of position not only didn't start him despite midweek brace but then used another sub forward first

   

Where now for Sturridge and Klopp, with the summer transfer deadline just three days away?

Daniel Sturridge's ­relationship with Jürgen Klopp was already stormy.

After the player’s reaction to being double-snubbed at White Hart Lane on Saturday – and Klopp’s ­subsequent slap-down – it now looks broken beyond repair.

Following his two goals for Liverpool in the League Cup at Burton last Tuesday, striker Sturridge was clearly hoping to start against Tottenham .

But he was named only on the bench, and boss Klopp added insult to injury by sending on fellow forward Divock Origi for Philippe Coutinho in the 69th minute.

That prompted a stony-faced “death stare”, which was picked up by the TV cameras and left viewers in no doubt what ­Sturridge felt about the decision.

Sturridge did eventually get on the pitch, but not until the 88th minute of match that ended 1-1.

And Klopp later offered him precious little comfort when asked about the incident.

The German insisted he had no personal issue with the 26-year-old former Man City and Chelsea frontman, but warned he is well down the pecking order.

Klopp said: “I can only pick 11 players for the start.

"I make these decisions never against one player so I’m really happy that we have him and he will play, he will score and all will be good.

“He has now made three games. He did not have a perfect pre-season. That’s how it is.”

The Spurs spat marks a new low in the already-strained relationship between manager and player.

After the Burton match, Sturridge voiced his frustration at being played out wide instead of in his favoured central role.
Getty Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring their fourth goal
Sturridge scored twice and then spoke out at Liverpool's midweek League Cup win

He said “I am a centre-forward”, and added that although he was ready to do a job for the team in a wide role, “that is not to say I am happy to do it.”

Last season, Klopp risked ­upsetting his injury-plagued striker by stating he needed to play through pain rather than sit on the sidelines.


Sturridge’s lack of game-time for Liverpool will not help his international career and, despite his huge talent, he is at an age where he cannot afford to be a bit-part player.

To make matters worse, ­Liverpool fans turned on Sturridge on social media and Kop legend Graeme Souness claimed he has a “mountain to climb” to get back into the starting XI.

Klopp shrugged off Souness’ comments, but his decision to go without a natural centre-forward rather than use Sturridge sends a worrying signal that the player's future may lie elsewhere.

And the Anfield boss remains adamant Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Coutinho are ahead of Sturridge in the queue to play up front — and that Origi was a better option as a substitute at White Hart Lane.

He said: “A few other players had more pre-season. They played together. These guys up front played together. They’ve trained for the first day of pre-season together, so that’s an ­advantage.

Even among the subs, Origi seems to be ahead of Sturridge in Klopp's thinking

“Then, when it was still 1-0, we needed someone to come on for the counter-attack, that’s Divock, and ­unfortunately even though he was running we didn’t find him.

"Nobody has real rhythm. A few players do have, a few don’t and then you have to judge for the moment.

"But there’s no big mountain for him. It’s a good team, thank God. Hopefully we can make different line-ups for different games.

“Daniel Sturridge is a wonderfully skilful player. But for this game, I made the decision for what we needed.”

An interesting piece this;

Liverpool were patient waiting for Daniel Sturridge - now it's his turn to be considerate to Jürgen Klopp

The presence of an extremely talented individual player often seems to be a cause of pain as much as serenity for managers.

When there is a gulf in class between a footballer and his team-mates, there is an inevitable potential for tension.

Every individual match-winning performance becomes the focus of attention; press conferences become single issue events lavishing praise on the player; injuries are perceived as catastrophic and recoveries a source of salvation.

If those around the particular player aren’t contributing so much, transfer hype shadows him: “How long can he put up with the mediocrity around him?”

And if the player is fit and for some reason not selected, there is an incandescence expressed on his behalf. The constant ‘me parties’ can be tedious.

Every manager seeks to create a team not only complementary to his star performer’s ability, but one in which he is a contributor rather than the focal point. Only then do you have a side capable of being successful.

Over the past 20 years, one of Liverpool’s many problems is they’ve too often had teams possessing a supreme individual talent who too often outshone the rest.

For a while it was Steve McManaman, then Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Luis Suárez and, for a brief period most recently, Daniel Sturridge.

Whether it was Gérard Houllier, Rafa Benítez or Brendan Rodgers, they knew that their first task in constructing a side capable of challenging was to stop relying so much on a star man. It meant their prize asset would have to be compromised - sometimes a little, occasionally a lot (once or twice too much). Then everyone else would look better.

Each manager had a bit of success. Houllier’s 2001 treble side did not rely on Owen, despite him winning the Ballon d’Or that season. Houllier was able to rotate the England striker (he did not start the League Cup final that season), protecting his hamstrings to get more from him. Supporters who look fondly at that era celebrate Sami Hyypia, Didi Hamann, Jamie Carragher and Gary McAllister.

Benítez won the Champions League and FA Cup in 2005 and 2006 largely because of Gerrard, but the most consistent Premier League performance came in 2009 because of the Carragher/Hyypia defensive pairing and a midfield including Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso, allied to the striking presence of Fernando Torres.

Many still argue Rodgers’ near miss in pursuit of the title was all about Suárez, but in the Uruguayan’s first two seasons Liverpool finished 8th and 7th. It was when Rodgers tweaked the formation and Sturridge was alongside him, allied to the emergence of Raheem Sterling, that one of the most dynamic strikeforces in the country was created. Suarez played much of the title bid season in a wide-attacking role in order to accommodate Sturridge. Compromise worked.

The difference for  Jürgen Klopp when compared with Houllier inheriting Owen, Benítez Gerrard and Rodgers Suárez, is Liverpool’s best player was injured when he arrived. By then, of course, we were delivering our weekly Sturridge dispatches. They’ve barely stopped since.

It was the worst of both worlds for Klopp last October. Not only was every press conference dominated by questions about the contribution and fitness of Sturridge, he was unable to select him. Although it seems to irk the England striker even to mention this statement of fact - as though it is an act of the most intolerable cruelty – his appearance record was appalling.

It would appear many think it was Klopp’s duty to sit around thinking everything will be fine once Sturridge returned (just as Rodgers did in his final six months). Never mind forward planning, Klopp had to indulge the idea of building a team that would be complete once his fully-fit goalscorer slotted into a central forward role.

Evidently, Klopp is rather more astute. The 'we should build a team around Sturridge' ship sailed into the distance long ago.

Indeed, many of those taking the 'why isn’t Sturridge starting exam?' at Tottenham last Saturday demonstrated they have not done their revision. How swiftly they've forgotten Klopp's first fixture as Liverpool manager - at White Hart Lane - when Sturridge travelled to North London but said he could not play on the eve of the game. Let me assure you there were plenty of 'death stares' around Merseyside when that news filtered out before kick-off, too.

Since then, Sturridge’s injuries appear to have taken some pace out of his legs. There was a moment in the second half of the Europa League final, and at Burnley last weekend, when Sturridge was sent beyond a defence but did not have the capacity to make a sprint. It was worrying. It may be mental rather than physical – understandable caution perhaps – and hopefully not beyond remedy. Nevertheless, Klopp is correct to conclude the time is long overdue for the player to adapt to the system rather than persist with the idea the system and everyone else must adapt to the player.

The landscape has changed for the better at Liverpool because of this. On the basis of his first three games, it won’t just be questions about Sturridge Klopp is fending off this season. Sadio Mané, playing the ‘wide striker’ role to perfection, could become the subject of our obsession. Klopp won’t want that either as, like those before him, he recognises only a multi-faceted team can be successful.

Sturridge can be as frustrated as he likes. He can complain as often as he wants.  Those who want him in the side - in his position of choice - can make as many appeals on his behalf as they wish in the forlorn hope anyone who matters at Liverpool cares what they think.

History at Anfield shows the best way for Sturridge to win medals with Liverpool is to realise no team of Klopp’s will rely on his selection, or any single player. It’s a message he must also have heard when he was at Chelsea and Manchester City.

Twelve months ago Sturridge was the absentee whose return every Liverpool fan, coach and board member craved. His absence was debilitating to himself and the club. Now he is a fit, he is one of numerous striking ‘options’. He'll still play. He'll still play a lot. Liverpool have invested a lot of time and money waiting for him to be available again. The least he can do is invest a little time and patience in the Liverpool manager to use him as and when appropriate.

The questions may still be all about Sturridge, but the destiny of the team is not.

As this transfer window comes to a close, that it is one of the surest signs of healthy progress at Anfield.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/08/29/liverpool-were-patient-waiting-for-daniel-sturridge---now-its-hi/

When talking about a gulfs, not sure I'd put Studge in the same class as Suarez, Fowler or Gerrard. Good player yes, but he is well off being as influencial as those players.  Think Cou is our main man, and we still depend on him too much.

Agree about him having looked rusty, but that with work hope he can get back that extra pace and sharpness that he looks to be missing some of right now.

Whether Klopp should be making more of an effort to work Danny back into the side is arguable imo, based on his undoubted ability. The guy can score goals, most natural finisher we have right now.

But the manager is definitely not building anything round him, and he'll need to play his way back into the side based on form. And can't say that I disagree. If he can't do that it's hard to see a future for someone who I reckon *considers himself* good enough to start a lot more PL matches - it's Jürgen he needs to convince tho...

Front three for Leicester...

Mane Sturridge Coutinho

Let's get him back in the 11.

Front three for Leicester...

Mane Sturridge Coutinho

Let's get him back in the 11.

          Coutinho
Mane, Sturridge, Firmino

Front 4 would be better

I'd play Origi ahead of Sturridge on current form.

I'd play Origi ahead of Sturridge on current form.

I wouldn't.

In an ideal world for me I'd have Phil playing where Lallana has been and play Mane, Danny and Bobbie in the front three.

Still think he has plenty to offer the team, with his knack of finding the back of the net.

That's true David and the fact is - most people know it: even if they pretend not to. 

Cast your mind back to last season... The same people who appear to be happy with Jürgen leaving Danny out (this season) were telling anyone who'd listen that our poor League form would get better if only Jürgen had Danny fit; that he needed him.

Yet more double standards, from the usual suspects, or just a failing memory? 

Either way, you couldn't make it up - thankfully you don't have to; the posts are there.   

Danny will be back and scoring soon enough. 

I remember when Danny came back mate and suddenly we started looking like a team again. In fact, if I'm not mistaken his absence was offered up as a reason for us not being able do as well in the PPG game chart as we were in the "back heels in the centre circle" table. When I dared to offer up the lack of credible available strikers as a reason for our "disaster and disgrace" season, I was quickly informed that in actual fact Rodgers had had the star striker available more than Jürgen did (who would have thunk it?).

Now, because he can't "play across the line" and he doesn't "lead the press" so well, not to mention  his "KM covered per match not being impressive", we don'the need him anymore. His detractors have a point, just about the only thing he's any good at is sticking the ball in the onion bag. What good is that?

I remember when Danny came back mate and suddenly we started looking like a team again. In fact, if I'm not mistaken his absence was offered up as a reason for us not being able do as well in the PPG game chart as we were in the "back heels in the centre circle" table. When I dared to offer up the lack of credible available strikers as a reason for our "disaster and disgrace" season, I was quickly informed that in actual fact Rodgers had had the star striker available more than Jürgen did (who would have thunk it?).

Now, because he can't "play across the line" and he doesn't "lead the press" so well, not to mention  his "KM covered per match not being impressive", we don'the need him anymore. His detractors have a point, just about the only thing he's any good at is sticking the ball in the onion bag. What good is that?

Nobody has said we don't need Danny, just some pointers as to why he may not have been picked against Spurs.

Stop making up stuff.

I want to see a front two of Sturridge and Divock.

I want to see a front two of Sturridge and Divock.

unfortunately our manager only likes to play a system that allows one up front.

That's true David and the fact is - most people know it: even if they pretend not to. 

Cast your mind back to last season... The same people who appear to be happy with Jürgen leaving Danny out (this season) were telling anyone who'd listen that our poor League form would get better if only Jürgen had Danny fit; that he needed him.

Yet more double standards, from the usual suspects, or just a failing memory? 

Either way, you couldn't make it up - thankfully you don't have to; the posts are there.   

Danny will be back and scoring soon enough. 

haha

I remember when Danny came back mate and suddenly we started looking like a team again. In fact, if I'm not mistaken his absence was offered up as a reason for us not being able do as well in the PPG game chart as we were in the "back heels in the centre circle" table. When I dared to offer up the lack of credible available strikers as a reason for our "disaster and disgrace" season, I was quickly informed that in actual fact Rodgers had had the star striker available more than Jürgen did (who would have thunk it?).

Now, because he can't "play across the line" and he doesn't "lead the press" so well, not to mention  his "KM covered per match not being impressive", we don'the need him anymore. His detractors have a point, just about the only thing he's any good at is sticking the ball in the onion bag. What good is that?

Another good point.

Funny how the wind blows round here.

Not long ago Sahko was an honorary Scouser as he signalled to the KOP in-game as they chanted his name, and he was recognised  as our best combative defender who would deceive with his gangly-ness.

Not anymore though.

It's weird how cultism prevents one from thinking for them-self.

I remember when Danny came back mate and suddenly we started looking like a team again. In fact, if I'm not mistaken his absence was offered up as a reason for us not being able do as well in the PPG game chart as we were in the "back heels in the centre circle" table. When I dared to offer up the lack of credible available strikers as a reason for our "disaster and disgrace" season, I was quickly informed that in actual fact Rodgers had had the star striker available more than Jürgen did (who would have thunk it?).

Now, because he can't "play across the line" and he doesn't "lead the press" so well, not to mention  his "KM covered per match not being impressive", we don'the need him anymore. His detractors have a point, just about the only thing he's any good at is sticking the ball in the onion bag. What good is that?

Remind me how good he looked against Burnley, how many shots did he have, how involved was he in the game. Yes he didn't play as an out and out striker, he played more in the Suarez role, but I seem to recall Luis scoring quite a few from that position and surely a player of Sturridge's quality should be able to adapt a bit to play the same role as he does for England! No one is arguing that Sturridge is anything other than an excellent striker when he is in the mood and in form but on current evidence he is neither of those so I perfectly understand Jürgen not playing him.

Remind me how good he looked against Burnley, how many shots did he have, how involved was he in the game. Yes he didn't play as an out and out striker, he played more in the Suarez role, but I seem to recall Luis scoring quite a few from that position and surely a player of Sturridge's quality should be able to adapt a bit to play the same role as he does for England! No one is arguing that Sturridge is anything other than an excellent striker when he is in the mood and in form but on current evidence he is neither of those so I perfectly understand Jürgen not playing him.

On current evidence he played on the right against Burnley, who according to him went without any instruction.

Then he got a whopping 3 minutes at Spurs FFS. 

Oh, he got 25 mins sandwiched between those games and bagged a brace.

Current form? He's barely played!

If the club to sell Sturridge, I personally will not feel the team lost the big thing, as I deeply quietly believe he will never play enough games for us because of injuries (not I want to see him injure).
Again, I'm quietly ask myself a question, Is Klopp also think so and reluctant to build a team around Sturridge.   

The problem is we don't know what is in Klopps head and what happen at the club re Sturridge. Everyone know Sturridge if he himself feel fit, he will demand playing, and if fail to please him he will run to the press.

Assume the club (and/or Klopp) doubt of Sturridge's injury prone they should manage to sell him earlier and find replacement. Why create unnecessary trouble like play him out of position or give him a few minutes like recent Spurs game, that's not good for him and the club. 
 
Please don't shoot me, it's just my opinion.

Team aint missing him much, he has missed 2 seasons thru injury, once he has been fit for a decent length of time we will see him back to his best and he will have a legit claim to playing more regularly, for now the club & Klopp are taking it easy with him, and lets be fair Firmino has not done much wrong, esp. in the big games, his workrate will always get him a nod from klopp.

Being linked with Arsenal.

Being linked with Arsenal.

If we let him leave no we'd be idiots and leaving ourselves well short of goals. FSG couldn't possibly be that greedy...

If we let him leave no we'd be idiots and leaving ourselves well short of goals. FSG couldn't possibly be that greedy...

Why do people keep blaming FSG when Klopp has plainly stated no player will come or go without his approval?

Why do people keep blaming FSG when Klopp has plainly stated no player will come or go without his approval?

Easy target mate. I prefer to blame them all.