The resurrection of Daniel Sturridge

England hurtled towards their destiny-defining World Cup qualifiers with total faith in Daniel Sturridge, a centre-forward with only 55 minutes’ competitive international experience and who had partnered Wayne Rooney only in friendly combat and only for 30 minutes. It was not blind faith. England’s belief is understandable because at 24, and liberated at Liverpool by Brendan Rodgers, Sturridge has finally come of age.
He has been at major clubs before, at Manchester City and Chelsea, but never given the trust and run of games he craved, always finding his path blocked by £50m signings or his influence inhibited by being pushed out wide. For too long, Sturridge has been adjacent to major events rather than in the middle of them. He has featured in an FA Cup final but also sat frustrated on the bench in a Champions League final. Too often the onlooker, rarely the leading light.
‘Studger’ had been painted as the FA Youth Cup hero turned big-headed, money-crazed kid at Manchester City before being depicted as just another reject from the Blues’ recycle bin. Liverpool finally allowed the attacker to apply his own brush strokes, and the picture doesn’t require any Instagram filters.
Since his January switch from Stamford Bridge to Anfield, the Reds have benefited immensely from the forward’s best. Sturridge has either scored or assisted 17 goals in his past 13 Premier League appearances - perhaps none bigger than his quick-strike, fourth-minute goal against Manchester United in Liverpool’s potentially season-shaping 1-0 victory on September 1.
Liverpool’s gain has been two of its title rivals’ loss. In December 2011, then-Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini admitted it was a ridiculous decision for the club to let "one of the best young players" leave. Sturridge’s January departure from Chelsea, which initially was celebrated by its supporters, has now transformed into feelings of regret.
His performances haven’t just been good; they’ve habitually been the difference between three points and one - or none. With Luis Suarez suspended at the start of the season, Sturridge danced Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table. Upon the Uruguayan’s return, he has not only retained his status as a finisher but has also doubled up as an adept provider.
Seven goals in eight Premier League games with seven chances created would please the very best. Not Sturridge, though, who insists that complacency isn’t in his nature and that he won’t be satisfied - at least unless he manages to match the likes Messi and Ronaldo.
Sturridge may not be the sort to ever be content with his development as a player, constantly targeting a bar that gets adjusted upward which each success, but one thing he is happy about is his move to Anfield from Chelsea. After struggling to make it off the bench under multiple managers, the tremendous faith Brendan Rodgers has shown in him has given Sturridge a footballing home after years spent adrift.
Rodgers believes that the striker’s selfless team ethic can help Liverpool regain the Premier League top spot against Crystal Palace. Daniel Sturridge is not only in the England squad but has also been instrumental in helping Liverpool make a flying start to the season, and Rodgers believes he is benefiting from finally finding a place to call his own. The striker has already been at two other big clubs, Manchester City and Chelsea, but only now is he getting a regular start and a feeling of belonging and, according to the Liverpool manager, that is all he ever needed.
And Sturridge also echoed similar feelings. "I feel so happy here, I feel at home, because the club have been really good to me," he said. "I want to leave everything on the field for them because they’ve given me the platform to play my natural game and just enjoy myself again. Liverpool is the right club for me and I’m happy here now. I’m just playing the way I usually do, and I’m blessed that it is what the team needs from me."
Not surprisingly, Liverpool legend Ian Rush remarked that he fully expects Daniel Sturridge to hit the magical 30 goal mark for the Reds this season, adding, “Every time he plays he looks like he is going to score. And he excites people when he’s on the pitch."