Plenty of Liverpool players are thriving under Jurgen Klopp in a way they didn’t under his predecessor Brendan Rodgers, but Daniel Sturridge is a rare exception.
The England striker was one of the first names on the teamsheet not that long ago, but now often finds himself starting on the bench as Klopp has been known to prefer a line-up with no orthodox striker.
Sturridge scored twice in the 5-0 EFL Cup victory over Burton Albion in midweek, but was not able to add to his solitary Premier League start during the trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham Hotspur.
And he wasn’t even the first attacking sub brought off the bench – something which he clearly didn’t seem too happy about.
Sturridge with a proper Jim from The Office stare #TOTLIV pic.twitter.com/6dliGD5m11
— Dale (@dale_roots) August 27, 2016
The Reds dominated the first half but led by only one goal – a James Milner penalty – at the break.
Spurs came back at them after half-time, prompting Klopp to look for reinforcements. But he went with Origi first, not introducing Sturridge until the 87th minute.
By that time, Danny Rose had equalised for the hosts and Spurs looked as likely as their opponents to find a winner.
Sturridge has played just 90 minutes of first team football across Liverpool’s first four games of the season, and plenty of people felt the former Chelsea striker’s pain.
https://twitter.com/ghostbiggie/status/769519384146636800
If I were Sturridge I'd hand in a transfer request.
— Ali (@ali_khalifeh23) August 27, 2016
If i was sturridge and origi is getting on ahead of me id leave.. Firmino offers something different but Origi is poor.. amateur league poor
— El Beatle (@scotto1982) August 27, 2016
Feel for Sturridge. Scores 2 midweek and comes on for 3 mins! Klopp for sub wrong should of been DS instead of Origi
— Bobby Beaumont (@Bobbylfc5ec) August 27, 2016
Feel for Sturridge he's our best striker and hardly gets played
— Kass – 🇵🇸 (@kas_ahmed) August 27, 2016
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