I hate the FA cup 3rd round games, now. Never thought I'd say that but it's got to be a hiding-to-nothing in the players' heads. I used to love the FA cup.
I mean, imagine it. You're Daniel Sturridge.
You practise day in day out and only get near the bench if you're lucky now and again. Then you get picked for this game, among 8 ressies and a couple of kids. You're away, up against a tough, talented, aggressive team who really want to win; and the team selection you're in tells you that your boss isn't really that bothered (or he'd have picked the first XI). You know you need to impress, and here's your chance, but you also know that come next Saturday and the next PL or CL game, you'll be overlooked regardless.
If you're Daniel's age and you've been as near to glory as he has, it must be hard to be 100% committed, unless your character is made of pure steel. I'd criticise his performance tonight, but all through the game, this is what I was thinking.
I love Sturridge, I really do, for the player he was and the person he has shown himself to be, but I felt for him out there. It's like he's not with us anymore. The way he walked off, I wonder if he wants to be?
This is spot on. Although I would go further and suggest that Sturridge simply did not get an opportunity today, because of the team selection. Even Salah struggled - despite his form, game time, and the whole formation improving after his introduction.
Klopp has yet again ruined Sturridge.
In pre-season he was flying. He continued that into the season with a bang! First game, first chance, goal. He then got rewarded with a solitary minute of game time in the next match. After that.. 10 minutes.. and after that.. he got benched for a full match. He came off the bench to grab 7 minutes of game time vs Spurs, and then followed that up with a goal against PSG in a match that he started in! His first start of the season!!
Throughout this time of course, he was on better form than Firmino, and the goal:minutes stats proved it.
After scoring against PSG, he was duly benched again, but was given another chance the game after that with a 2nd start of the season against Chelsea in the League Cup. He scored!! But was rewarded by having to sit on the bench again for most of the next match against Chelsea only days later. Fortunately, Klopp did give him 4 minutes though.. and he scored!!! Saving us from our 1st defeat of the season.
After that, a bit part role. He got benched a lot, grabbed a few minutes here and there, and was granted 2 full matches against minor opposition.
The lad was on form. He scored when provided the chances.. but slowly and assuredly Klopp gave him less opportunities, even after scoring important goals.
He's only played 25 minutes of football since 8th December 2018 (across the 6 games since) and now he's given a chance in a side with a completely disjointed lineup. Really? What was he going to do with that? Can anyone remember him missing a chance? Can anyone remember him being given a chance? I missed 5 minutes of the game.. but unless it all happened in those 5 minutes.. I saw nothing of the sort.
He hardly got the ball. His touch map would be appalling. He constantly had to come to the middle of the pitch (like Origi) to get anywhere near the ball. In that position, all he could do was attempt to hold up the ball, pass, or draw a foul. He's a Striker who plays on the shoulder of the last defender. Tonight, he couldn't do that. He's not the run around Firmino type or the Salah running down the wing type. He's a proper Striker.. but not given a Striker's chance.
If his head did drop.. can we really blame him?
What was his support? Shaqiri (bad game), Keita (bad game), Milner (bad game), Jones (debut, not much happening)..
But yeah, blame the Strikers.
