Almost exactly a year ago, it was revealed that Liverpool would ensure that Daniel Sturridge follows a special pre-season training programme in a bid to solve the forward’s muscle injury problems. A year later, Sturridge is just as injury prone as ever, and one wonders if he’ll ever become the kind of player that Reds supporters dream he potentially could be.
Can Sturridge ever stay healthy enough to reach his enormous potential?
Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp will not rush him back to try and find out. The German said today that he will bring him along slowly, and in doing so made an interesting analogy to citrus.
“If you think Daniel Sturridge can play from the first to the last minute in the last nine games, fine,” Klopp told the Liverpool Echo.
“Yes, he is in brilliant shape. I know it. The best thing for us, for him and for England for the European Championships is to keep him in the best shape since I have been here.
“Now we can say ‘Oh my God, Daniel is back, let’s push him through all these games!’ Yeah?
“If you think that is right, write it. If not, don’t ask me anymore. We will do what we think.
“But still, after this long period, you cannot use him as an orange and take each little bit of the juice.”
Well then, I guess keep Sturridge around in case you need to ward off scurvy. Because there’s nothing like citrus fruits to keep scurvy at bay. Sturridge scored his seventh goal of the season today in the 61′ as Liverpool routed Everton 4-0 in the Merseyside Derby. The game was about as one-sided as you’ll ever see in the Premier League. Liverpool could have easily won this no-contest 8-0 as the Toffees have essentially quit.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram