DESTINED TO BE BRILLIANT BUT UNLOVED I am a bit bemused by the Liverpool fans reaction towards Daniel Sturridge. No matter how many goals he scores, no matter how many times he performs that dodgy dance, it feels like he will never be one of them. Such is the scepticism that it is only recently that the Kop have started chanting his name, but it is never with the same gusto or passion as that of captain Steven Gerrard or Luis Suarez. They are the real fans’ favourites. Every club has them: players who are respected, but not loved or idolised by their supporters.Regardless of how many goals they score or trophies they win, they will never be cherished. Sturridge, with 23 goals for club and country so far this season, for whatever reason falls into that category. He has 18 in the Barclays Premier League for Liverpool, more than Sergio Aguero (15), Wayne Rooney (11) and Robin van Persie (11). And yet, despite his outstanding record in front of goal, people still need convincing that Sturridge is going to stick it out at the highest level. Liverpool supporters certainly take some winning over, a notoriously difficult crowd after being spoiled down the years with Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, John Barnes, John Aldridge and Robbie Fowler.They never really took to Stan Collymore, despite a goal on his Liverpool debut against Sheffield Wednesday and those oft-repeated strikes against Newcastle United. It was the same for Michael Owen. Despite a brilliant career with Liverpool, including that dramatic double against Arsenal in the 2001 FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium, he was never really taken to their hearts. Never really a Liverpool player. What will it take, then, for the Kop to sway with Sturridge when he celebrates in front of them after scoring for Liverpool? His reaction at the Emirates in last month’s FA Cup tie against Arsenal, when he sank to the floor at the final whistle after failing to set a club record by scoring in nine successive matches, did not help his image. It was obvious what the record meant to him, but Liverpool’s exit in the FA Cup - after an outstanding performance against Arsenal - was of far greater significance. He is not, by nature, a grafter and it is an area that his manager Brendan Rodgers, who believes he is genuine world class talent, is working on. After missing a penalty in the 4-0 destruction of Everton in January, there was maturity and humility in his voice when he apologised to his manager. He had already scored twice when Steven Gerrard handed him the chance to complete his hat-trick in the Merseyside derby, but he sent a 54th minute penalty over the crossbar. When he reacted to his substitution by exchanging words with Rodgers on the touchline and heading straight for the dressing room, he later had to the guts to apologise for his actions. With Rodgers, there were no hard feelings. Liverpool’s manager is working hard to improve his demeanour on the pitch, but he will never compare with the workaholic that is Suarez. The Uruguayan will train and play through anything, demanding more from himself and his team-mates. Liverpool’s supporters warm to that. They are cut from a different cloth, but Sturridge has matured as a player since his move to Anfield in January 2013. When Sturridge began his professional career with Manchester City in 2006, there were very few people outside of his own house who believed he would go on to represent his country. On one occasion a high-profile executive at City remarked: ‘Sturridge is nowhere near as good as he thinks he is.’ After his winner for England in their friendly against Denmark at Wembley last Wednesday, it is impossible to think of the national team being without him. Roy Hodgson needs him to make hay at the World Cup. We are talking about a player capable of any type of finish: his chip against West Brom at Anfield on October 26 last year was a measured and outstanding goal. The winner against Aston Villa, in Liverpool’s first away game in the Premier League this season, showed invention and great improvisation inside the area. His header against Manchester United in the fourth minute on September 1 underlined his predatory instincts. When he came off the substitutes’ bench in his gloves at Goodison Park on November 23, he scored a dramatic equaliser for Liverpool with a near post header to beat Tim Howard. There have been times when he has needed some encouragement to play or train, but Rodgers is working on every area of his game. Liverpool’s manager recognised his qualities when Sturridge was a bystander for much of his career with Chelsea. They never really took to him at Stamford Bridge and it is only now that Liverpool supporters are starting to embrace him. Whether they learn to love him is another matter.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 03:35:11 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015