Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp hails the impact of ‘fantastic’ Daniel Sturridge after wonder goal against Chelsea
Sturridge rescued a point for Liverpool with a 35-yard strike into the top corner of Kepa’s goal
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Jurgen Klopp has hailed “fantastic” Daniel Sturridge as being in the best shape he has been in during his Liverpool tenure, after the England striker’s brilliant late equaliser at Stamford Bridge.
Sturridge rescued a point for Liverpool tonight with a 35-yard strike into the top corner of Kepa’s goal. That was his third goal of the season after he scored against West Ham United on the opening day of the season and again past PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday.
These goals have marked a remarkable turnaround for Sturridge who had an unsuccessful loan spell at relegated West Brom in the second half of last season, when it looked as if his Liverpool career was over.
Sturridge has not scored double-figure goals since the 2015-16 season, during which Klopp arrived to the club. He has struggled with injuries and with Klopp’s preference for Roberto Firmino up front. But this newly fit Sturridge has forced his way into Klopp’s plans, and the Liverpool manager was delighted afterwards with his recent form.
“He is a fantastic football player,” Klopp said of Sturridge in his post-match press conference.
“He had a full pre-season and he is in the best shape since I have known him. It’s as simple as that. It’s really cool. I am really happy for him. He works hard. He is just a good lad, that is how it is. When he came in the dressing room, after doing 20 interviews, it was pretty loud. The boys are all happy for him. He really is in a good moment.”
Meanwhile Mohamed Salah, the hero of last season, struggled and even looked short of confidence at times. Klopp withdrew him for Xherdan Shaqiri after just 66 minutes. Klopp then admitted that he lacked conviction in front of goal during the match, and that things were “not clicking” for him right now.
“Changes when nobody is injured are always tactical,” Klopp said of his decision to replace Salah.
“I know already you are going to make of that, but it is football. It was not Mo’s best game of his career, 100%. Arriving in a game like this, constantly in situations like he arrives in, a world class player like himself, you fail, you miss, it happens.”
Klopp said he knew Salah was not at his best from early on.
“He wants to be decisive, he wants to score in the these situations. The first ball he missed, not the right precision, and the next one he passed. Why? He could have shot. Things like this happen. It’s like riding a bike. It’s not that you wake up one morning and can’t finish any more, or can’t ride a bike any more. You need to work on these moments when it’s not clicking. That’s the period he’s in. No problem.”
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