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Daniel Sturridge
DSturridge2018
Personal information
Date of Birth

1 September 1989

Place of Birth

Birmingham, England

Height

1.83m (6'0")

Position

Forward

Liverpool statistics
Squad no.

15 (2013-2019)

Years

2013-2019

Appearances

160

Goals

67

Assists

20

Daniel Andre Sturridge (born 1 September 1989) is an English international footballer who currently played as a striker for Liverpool from for six and a half years between 2013 and 2019. After spending his formative years as a squad player with Manchester City and Chelsea, Liverpool opted to spend £12,000,000 to bring the young striker to Anfield in January 2013 to partner star forward Luis Suarez, following Andy Carroll's failure to live up to expectation. Although the signing was met with some uncertainty, he took Liverpool by storm, netting in each of his first three games at the club and has maintained a strike rate of well over one-in-two during his time there to date. He was the Premier League's second top goalscorer during the 2013-14 season with 21 goals- second only to team mate Suarez- and was named in the PFA Team of the Year as Liverpool narrowly missed out on the Premier League title. Following the 2014 sale of Suarez, Sturridge was tipped to be the new leading-light for Liverpool, however a five-month injury lay off would prove to interfere with this. The first half of the following season was simillar for Sturridge, making just six appearances before February. With arrival of new manager Jurgen Klopp and competition in Divock Origi however, Sturridge was fit and firing again in the second half of the season, and finished as the Reds' top scorer with 13, including a peach in the 2016 Europa League Final. After this however, the forward lost his place in the starting lineup, and at some points found himself behind Roberto Firmino and Divock Origi in the pecking order. Halfway through the 2017-18 season, Sturridge was sent on loan to West Brom in his search for more game time. After an unsuccessful loan spell, Sturridge returned to Liverpool desperate to make an impact and return to the first-team. He impressed in pre-season, and then had a great start to the season, scoring some vital goals for the club as they went on to win the Champions League; Sturridge's first and only honour at the club. He was then released upon his contract expiry in 2019.

Liverpool career[]

Sturridge made the switch to Merseyside in a £12,000,000 deal from Chelsea on 2 January 2013 on a reported three-and-a-half year contract as one of manager Brendan Rodgers' priority transfer targets. Sturridge had been initially targeted in August 2012 as a potential replacement for Andy Carroll, however Rodgers was only interested in a loan deal at the time with Sturridge only interested in a permanent move. Rodgers revived his interest in the young striker during the early phases of the 2012-13 season, and Liverpool moved to agree a deal with both the player and Chelsea in December 2012, ready to be completed with the opening of the January transfer window. Upon signing, Sturridge stated: "I am humbled and happy to be here. Brendan Rodgers said he sees me here for a long time - and I also see myself here for a long time. I've not signed here to play for a couple of years and then move on. I've signed to be here for as long as possible. It's a humongous club - for me, one of the biggest in the world - and to have the fans and world-class players we have here is amazing." Sturridge chose to take the vacant number 15 shirt, last worn by Alberto Aquilani.

Sturridge made his debut on 6 January 2013, starting the FA Cup tie away to non-League Mansfield. In just the seventh minute of the match, Sturridge was put through on goal by Jonjo Shelvey to score his first Liverpool goal with a placed shot around the on-rushing 'keeper. Sturridge ended a lively debut in the 55th minute, being substituted for Luis Suarez. He collected the Liverpoolfc.com's man of the match award. On 13 January 2013, Sturridge made his league debut for the Reds, coming on as a second half substitute against Manchester United. With Liverpool trailing 2-0, Sturridge pulled a goal back, tapping in after a Steven Gerrard effort was parried out into his path. However, the goal was to prove to be just a consolation, as Liverpool ultimately lost the game 2-1.

Sturridge made his Anfield debut on 19 January 2013 in a game against Norwich. In a 5-0 win, Sturridge aided his side's second goal as his dummy allowed Lucas' through-ball to reach Luis Suarez and put him through on goal, with the Uruguayan slotting home. Sturridge himself added Liverpool's third, tapping in from close range after Stewart Downing sent in a cross across the face of goal. The goal made Sturridge the first Liverpool player since Ray Kennedy in 1974 to score in each of his first three games for the club. Sturridge's next goal came on 3 February 2013 in an away game at Manchester City. With City leading 1-0, Sturridge collected the ball at the edge of the box and arrowed a fierce shot low into the net. Being against his former club, Sturridge refused to celebrate the goal. Sturridge impressed throughout the match and was named Liverpool's man of the match.

Sturridge sat out Liverpool's next two games due to injury, and being cup-tied for the Europa League before returning against Swansea on 17 February 2013. Sturridge produced another encouraging display, picking up the Liverpool website's man of the match award and netting a penalty in the 5-0 win. Following this Sturridge struggled to make the starting XI owing largely to niggling injuries, however on 21 April 2013 with Liverpool playing Chelsea at home and trailing 1-0 at half time, Sturridge came on and made an immediate impact. In the 51st minute he scored the equaliser, tapping in from a Luis Suarez cross. After Liverpool fell 2-1 behind, Sturridge turned provider by lashing in an excellent cross for Suarez to score a last-gasp equaliser with one of the last kicks of the game.

Liverpool's star forward Suarez was subsequently banned for 10 matches after an incident during the Chelsea game, placing greater attacking responsibility on Sturridge thereafter. In Liverpool's next game, Sturridge netted twice and provided an assist for Jordan Henderson in Liverpool's 6-0 away win over Newcastle. His first goal came after he had been put through one-on-one by Philippe Coutinho, and his second was a side-foot into an empty net after Henderson squared the ball through to him in the area.

Two games later, on 12 May 2013, Sturridge netted a hattrick as Liverpool beat Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage. His first goal came after he collected a long ball from Andre Wisdom, then turned Fulham defender Aaron Hughes before hammering the ball past Mark Schwarzer. His second was a close range strike after picking up a deflected shot from Philippe Coutinho, and his third was again set up by Coutinho. The Brazilian flicked a lobbed ball through to Sturridge who chipped the on-rushing Schwarzer to find the corner of the net.

At the end of the season, Sturridge suffered ankle ligament damage whilst on international duty with England. This caused him to miss most of Liverpool's pre-season schedule for the 2013-14 season. However, on 17 August 2013, Sturridge netted Liverpool's opening goal of the new campaign, beating the impressive Asmir Begovic from outside the box to score the only goal of a 1-0 win over Stoke. He followed this up with another goal on 24 August 2013 in Liverpool's next game as the Reds beat Aston Villa 1-0 away. After Philippe Coutinho's dummy allowed Jose Enrique's cross to find Sturridge in the Villa penalty area, Sturridge impressively took the ball away from two Villa defenders and 'keeper Brad Guzan before prodding the ball into the net. On 27 August 2013, Sturridge continued his fine run of form, netting twice in a 4-2 win over Notts County in the League Cup. His first goal came from a pin-point pass from Steven Gerrard, allowing Sturridge to fire past the keeper. His second was from a tight angle, with the striker firing at the keeper who allowed the ball to slide under him and into the net. Just 5 days later, on his birthday, Sturridge netted the winner early on in the 1-0 win over Manchester United, anticipating a header from Daniel Agger from a corner and heading it on into the net.

This completed a hattrick of 1-0 wins for the Reds in their first three games of the Premier League season to see them take an early lead at the top of the table, with Sturridge netting each of the goals. In recognition of this, Sturridge was awarded both the Liverpool and the Premier League Player of the Month awards for August 2013. On 16 September 2013, Sturridge became the first Liverpool player in the Premier League era to net in each of Liverpool's first four games of the season. In an away game against Swansea, Sturridge capitalised on a poor backpass from former Red Jonjo Shelvey to fire past Michel Vorm. The match finished 2-2. Sturridge's next goal came on 29 September 2013, as he put Liverpool 1-0 up away to Sunderland after a Steven Gerrard corner hit his arm and went in. Sturridge also assisted Luis Suarez's two goals in the match as the Reds won 3-1.

Sturridge netted again in Liverpool's next game on 5 October 2013, putting the Reds 2-0 up against Crystal Palace after turning a Palace defender in the box before hammering a left-footed shot low into the far corner of the net from a tight angle. Two weeks later, in Liverpool's next game, Sturridge continued his form- scoring the equaliser with a header from a cross by Luis Suarez in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle. On 26 October 2013, Sturridge once again scored for Liverpool- scoring an audacious chip from outside the area to give the Reds a 4-1 lead over West Brom.

Having played 90 minutes on International duty just three days earlier, Sturridge was named on the bench for the Merseyside Derby on 23 November 2013 with a thigh problem. He came on with just ten minutes to go and, with the score 3-2 to Everton, scored a late equaliser with a header from a Steven Gerrard free kick. However, it was soon revealed that Sturridge would be out injured for up to eight weeks with an ankle injury suffered in training. He missed the whole of December for the Reds. On 12 January 2014, Sturridge made a scoring return in a 5-3 win at Stoke. Coming on as a substitute, he first got the assist for Luis Suarez's second goal. He then netted himself, picking up a ball from his strike partner and forcing a save from the Stoke keeper, before finally poking it into the net. Less than a week later Sturridge scored again, picking up a flick from Jordan Henderson and firing past Brad Guzan. This helped Liverpool to come from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home to Aston Villa. On 25 January 2013, Sturridge scored his 25th goal for the club, latching on to a through ball by Luis Suarez and poking it past the keeper first time. Three days later, Sturridge started in the 222nd Merseyside Derby and played a major part, scoring twice in a 4-0 win. His first was a left footed strike after being put through by Philippe Coutinho, his second was a lob over the on-rushing Tim Howard from outside the area. He also missed a penalty in the match, and reacted angrily when he was subsequently substituted, however he later apologised for his reaction.

Sturridge netted for the fifth match in a row on 2 February 2014, tapping in a Luis Suarez cross at close-range in Liverpool's 1-1 away draw with West Brom. He continued this scoring run in Liverpool's next game, a 5-1 home win over League leaders Arsenal. After being put through on goal by Philippe Coutinho, Sturridge struck a shot from the edge of the area that beat keeper Wojciech Szczesny. Four days later, Sturridge scored his 30th goal for Liverpool, converting a ball by Steven Gerrard and firing it past the keeper in a 3-2 win at Fulham. On 23 February 2014, Sturridge scored twice in a 4-3 win over Swansea. For his first he took the ball around the keeper and slotted it in after a through ball by Raheem Sterling. His second was a header after a cross by Luis Suarez. This was Sturridge's eighth consecutive goalscoring appearance for the Reds in the League, which represents the third-longest such run in Premier League history. He drew a blank in Liverpool's next game away to Southampton, thus putting an end to his run.

On 14 March 2014, Sturridge was recognised for his fine goalscoring run as the PFA Player of the Month for February- his second such award of the season. He also collected the Standard Chartered Liverpool Player of the Month award. His next goal came on 22 March 2014 in a 6-3 victory away at Cardiff. He slotted in a pass from Luis Suarez following a fast break. He also provided an assist for Suarez during the match via a deft backheeled ball. Sturridge netted again in the next game, scoring with a deflected effort on 26 March 2014 in a home 2-1 win over Sunderland. This was Sturridge's 20th goal of the Premier League season and his 30th league goal overall for Liverpool, achieved in just 37 games- making him the fastest player to reach this landmark in Liverpool history. The goal also meant this was the first time since the 1963-64 season that two Liverpool players had hit 20 goals in a single league season- Sturridge and Luis Suarez matching the feats of Roger Hunt and Ian St. John.

On 13 April 2014, Sturridge limped off from Liverpool's 3-2 home win over Man City with a suspected hamstring injury. He made his return two weeks later as a second half substitute in Liverpool's home tie with Chelsea, however he was unable to help the Reds overturn a 1-0 deficit, with the Blues ultimately prevailing 2-0. That evening however, Sturridge was voted into the PFA Team of the Year, alongside Liverpool team mates Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez.

Sturridge looked to have ended a small goal drought on 5 May 2014, firing Liverpool's second in a 3-3 draw away at Crystal Palace. The shot came from the edge of the area and gave Liverpool hope in their chase for the league title, however the Reds squandered a 3-0 lead to draw the match, seemingly leaving their title hopes in tatters. On 8 May however the dubious goals panel surprisingly credited the goal as a Damien Delaney own goal instead, presumably for taking a deflection off the Palace defender. On 11 May 2014- the last game of the Premier League season- Sturridge did find the back of the net as he netted the winner in Liverpool's 2-1 home win over Newcastle, connecting with a Steven Gerrard free-kick at the far post. Liverpool finished in second place in the Premier League, and Sturridge's 21 goal haul put him second only to team mate Luis Suarez in the division's leading goalscorer charts.

On 17 August 2014, in Liverpool's first game of the 2014-15 season at home to Southampton- a match that doubled up as Sturridge's 50th in a Reds shirt- Sturridge scored the winner as Liverpool won 2-1. After Raheem Sterling cushioned a header into his path, Sturridge was able to tap in at the far post. The goal was Sturridge's 36th in a Red shirt, and meant that the only player in Liverpool history to have netted more times in their first 50 games for the club was George Allan, over 100 years ago.

On 3 September 2014, Sturridge suffered a muscular injury whilst training with England. The injury sparked criticism from Brendan Rodgers of manager Roy Hodgson's handling of the injury-prone Sturridge, with England not adhering to the particular training scheme devised by Liverpool to help maintain Sturridge's fitness. Sturridge was expected to be out for around six weeks, however he suffered two additional muscular injuries when returning to training for Liverpool. The whole ordeal kept Sturridge sidelined for five months. He finally made his long-awaited return to action on 31 January 2015 as a second half substitute at home to West Ham. Just 12 minutes into his return, Sturridge scored, firing the ball past keeper Adrian from a tight angle after being set up in the area by Philippe Coutinho.

Sturridge made his first start since his injury on 10 February 2015 in Liverpool's home game against Tottenham. He provided the assist for Lazar Markovic to open the scoring and won the penalty that Steven Gerrard scored as Liverpool won 3-2. In Liverpool's next game- an away tie against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup on 14 February 2015- Sturridge scored Liverpool's equaliser, volleying in a Jordan Henderson chip pass at close range as the Reds won 2-1. Sturridge scored his fourth goal of the season on 4 March 2015, heading in a Jordan Henderson cross at close range to seal a 2-0 home win over Burnley. He followed this up just over two weeks later, scoring the Reds only goal in a 2-1 defeat at home against Manchester United, with his close range shot deflecting past De Gea at the near post. He made an appearance as a substitute in the next game, away to Arsenal. This proved to be his final appearance of the season.

On 20 September 2015, Sturridge made his first appearance in five months, starting and playing 60 minutes in a 1-1 draw to Norwich. A week later, he started up top with Danny Ings, and scored twice in a 3-2 win over Aston Villa. The first was a spectacular volley into the far corner after a lovely ball over the top from James Milner. The second was a poke into the far corner after a fantastic backheel inside the area from Coutinho. Sturridge kept his place for the Merseyside Derby, but couldn't find his way onto the score sheet in a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

After the sacking of Brendan Rodgers, Jurgen Klopp was named the new Liverpool manager, yet Sturridge was not involved for the German's opening game in charge, a 0-0 draw at Tottenham. Klopp confirmed after the game that Sturridge had some swelling in the knee, and was not anticipated to be out for long. However, Sturridge did not feature in Klopp's opening seven matchday squads, until 21 November, when he was named on the bench in a 4-1 win at Manchester City, but the striker did not make it onto the pitch. However, Sturridge was not present on the bench for a Europa League tie against Bordeaux, with Klopp stating that he had felt pain in his foot, and was due a scan. The next day, Klopp said that Sturridge "must learn "what is serious pain and what is only pain".

Sturridge finally made his return on 29 November 2015, coming on as a 71st minute substitute in a 1-0 win over Swansea. Three days later, Sturridge made his first start under Jurgen Klopp, scoring twice in a 6-1 win at Southampton. The first was a very good finish from an angle after a lovely ball from Joe Allen. The second was a volley after an even better over the top ball from Emre Can. However, after this Sturridge picked up another injury, ruling him out for another couple of months.

Sturridge returned again on 9 February, coming on as a 60th minute substitute in a 2-1 defeat at West Ham. He didn't score, but showed signs of his old form. At the weekend, Sturridge scored his 5th goal of the season, with a very accurate header from an exceptional Philippe Coutinho cross. On 10 March 2016, Sturridge netted his first European goal for the club, tucking in a very accurate penalty to open the scoring in a 2-0 win over Manchester United. Just over a week later, Sturridge doubled Liverpool's lead at Southampton, with a very cool finish from the right side of the box, but the Reds went on to lose 3-2 at St Marys.

On 2 April 2016, Sturridge assisted Philippe Coutinho's opening goal in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham after some good linkup play on the edge of the box. In the midweek however, Sturridge saw Divock Origi take his place in the starting lineup, and grab a goal in a 1-1 draw away to Borussia Dortmund. Sturridge returned to the lineup at the weekend, and was back amongst the goals, heading home Liverpool's second in a 4-1 win over Stoke. A week later, Sturridge netted again, this time a great header to double Liverpool's lead in a 2-1 win at Bournemouth

On 20 April 2016, Sturridge scored his 50th goal for the club, coming off the bench and scoring Liverpool's third in a 4-0 win over Everton. This was a big feat for Sturridge, with only four players post-war managing to reach fifty in less games than Sturridge. Three days later, Sturridge opened the scoring within just two minutes in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle. The striker controlled Alberto Moreno's long free-kick very well, before shimmying and tucking the ball into the bottom corner. Two weeks later, Sturridge scored Liverpool's second in a 3-0 win over Villarreal, which took the Reds into the 2016 Europa League Final. Sturridge also played a big part in the opening own-goal, and assisted Adam Lallana for the third.

On 18 May 2016, Sturridge opened the scoring in the 2016 Europa League Final, with an exquisite curling effort with the outside of his foot from the edge of the penalty area. Unfortunately for Sturridge and the team, the Reds let the lead slip and fell to a 3-1 defeat to Sevilla. This also made Sturridge Liverpool's top scorer for the 2015-16 season, with thirteen.

Sturridge missed the opening day of the 2016-17 season due to concerns over his fitness, but started in gameweek two, but performed poorly from the right wing in a 2-0 defeat at Burnley. On 23 August 2016 Sturridge came of the bench and scored twice in a 5-0 win at Burton. The first was a tap in from a James Milner ball, while the second was a powerful strike from the edge of the area.

On 17 October 2016, Sturridge made his 100th appearance for the club, starting in a huge game against rivals Manchester United. Sturridge put in a pretty disappointing performance, and was substituted early on in the second half in a 0-0 draw. His 101st game however went slightly differently, with Sturridge netting twice in a 2-1 League Cup win over Tottenham.

Despite his good form in the cups, Sturridge failed to score in his opening eight league game of the season, and this form led to him being displaced from the starting XI, especially due to the excellent form of the front three of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane. On 6 November 2016, Sturridge came of the bench in a 6-1 win over Watford. The striker was very unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, being denied twice by the bar, and having one effort saved into the path of Georginio Wijnaldum, who scored the Reds' sixth.

After 4 weeks out through injury, Sturridge returned on 19 December 2016, coming on as a substitute in the Merseyside Derby. In the 94th minute, Sturridge's long range strike hit the post, and rebounded into the path of Sadio Mane who poked home to win the game for Liverpool. A week later, Sturridge netted his first league goal of the season, picking up on a stray backpass before rounding the keeper and slotting in the fourth in a 4-1 win over Stoke.

On 14 May 2017, Sturridge made his first start since January, away to West Ham. He opened the scoring in the 35th minute, being put through via a defence splitting Philippe Coutinho pass, before rounding the keeper and slotting it in. This was part of a fine performance in a 4-0 win. The striker ended a disappointing campaign with just 7 goals, only 3 in the Premier League.

Despite rumours linking him away from the club, Jurgen Klopp insisted that Sturridge was happy to stay and still had an important role to play at Liverpool. Sturridge missed the opening two games of the 2017-18 season through injury, but made a return on 19 August 2017, starting in a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. One week later Sturridge scored his first goal of the season, heading home Liverpool's fourth in a 4-0 win over Arsenal.

On 28 October 2017, Sturridge opened the scoring in a 3-0 win over Huddersfield, with a cute lobbed finish over the keeper. Three days later he scored his first Champions League goal in seven years, rounding off a 3-0 win over Maribor from close range. After this however, Sturridge made just two more appearances for Liverpool in the 2017-18 season.

On 29 January 2018, it was confirmed that Sturridge was to be sent on loan to fellow Premier League side, West Brom for the remainder of the campaign.

In the summer of 2018, Sturridge’s Liverpool career seemed to be over, with apparent interest from Besiktas after a disappointing loan spell at West Brom. Despite this, the striker was given a chance in pre-season, and impressed heavily, netting six goals in the Reds’ friendly games.

On 12 August 2018, Sturridge came on as a late substitute in an opening day win over West Ham, and scored Liverpool’s fourth of the game with his first touch. On 18 September, the striker made his first start of the campaign. Thirty minutes in, Sturridge headed in the opening goal from an inch-perfect Andy Robertson cross to give Liverpool the lead in an eventual 3-2 win over Paris Saint Germain. A week later, Sturridge scored the opening goal in a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea win a sublime overhead effort.

Three days later, Sturridge came on as an 86th minute substitute away to Chelsea in a crucial Premier League tie. Three minutes after arriving, Sturridge received the ball some thirty yards out, before firing the ball inch perfectly into the top corner, netting the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with his third goal in as many games. This terrific run of form led to Sturridge being named Liverpool’s Player of the Month for September, for the first time since February 2014.

After this however, his form fizzled out, and Sturridge returned to being a bench option for the rest of the campaign, making just five more starts. At the end of the season, Sturridge was named on the substitutes bench for the Champions League final. Although he didn't make an appearance, he did receive a winners medal upon the Reds' victory, winning his first piece of silverware since moving to the club over six years prior.

On 4 June 2019, it was confirmed that Sturridge was to leave Liverpool after his contract expired, after over six years at the club. He left as a European Cup winner, and having scored 67 goals in 160 appearances for the club.

Honours[]

Liverpool[]

  • UEFA Champions League: 1 (2019)

Individual[]

  • PFA Team of the Year: 1 (2013-14)
  • Premier League Player of the Month: 2 (August 2013, February 2014)
  • Standard Chartered Player of the Month: 3 (August 2013, February 2014, September 2018)

Stats[]

Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
2012-13 14 10 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 11
2013-14 29 21 2 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 33 24
2014-15 12 4 4 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 18 5
2015-16 14 8 1 0 2 2 8 3 0 0 25 13
2016-17 20 3 3 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 27 7
2017-18 9 2 0 0 0 0 5 1 0 0 14 3
2018-19 18 2 1 0 1 1 7 1 0 0 27 4
Total 116 50 13 3 9 9 22 5 0 0 160 67
Season Apps Goals Assists G+A
2012-13 16 11 3 14
2013-14 33 24 7 31
2014-15 18 5 1 6
2015-16 25 13 2 15
2016-17 27 7 2 9
2017-18 14 3 3 6
2018-19 27 4 2 6
Total 160 67 20 87

External links[]

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