A Fit and Firing Daniel Sturridge Can Prove Key for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool

ANFIELD, Liverpool — Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side secured a hard-fought victory over Swansea City courtesy of James Milner's second-half penalty.

It was far from a vintage display, not helped by the windy conditions on Merseyside, but this was a case of the result being far more important than the performance.

This win enabled Klopp's side to move into the top six in the Premier League—their highest position since August 17—and carry on the positive momentum from the 4-1 thrashing of Manchester City.

Winning football matches is a nice habit to be in, and with six wins in their last seven, Liverpool are showing they have the capacity to do so even when not playing especially well.

Overcoming Bordeaux and Swansea at Anfield inside four days of each other ensured momentum was maintained, rather than halted—as it was following the defeat of Chelsea in October, with the Reds losing their next league match at home to Crystal Palace. Indeed, this was the first time this season that Liverpool had won a game following a UEFA Europa League match.

The result provides plenty of positive statistics, namely:

• One defeat in last 16 games in all competitions
• Six wins in last seven games in all competitions
• Up to sixth place in the Premier League
• Four points off fourth-place Arsenal
• Only six points off top of the table

The Reds also kept a clean sheet, with Klopp saying post-match: "I think it was our best game in defensive organisation."

But perhaps the biggest positive was English duo Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge returning from injury.

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Henderson made his first appearance since the second game of the season, replacing Roberto Firmino in the 64th minute. The Reds' captain almost immediately played in Milner for a shot that fired across goal, showing the creativity that Liverpool have lacked centrally at times recently.

Five minutes later, it was Sturridge on for Christian Benteke, making his first appearance since Brendan Rodgers' last game in charge at Everton.

"[It is] good news for the big Liverpool family," said Klopp post-match.

"Two very important players for us are back in the race and they did well for their situation, where they have come from after a long break."

With Klopp saying post-match that Philippe Coutinho will be fit to return in the League Cup quarter-final against Southampton on Wednesday, the boss is edging closer towards having a fully fit squad available at last.

What this means is a plethora of attacking options for the German, who opted to play Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana and Jordon Ibe in support of Benteke against Swansea.

The Liverpool attack never really clicked, though, with Firmino and Lallana both looking off the pace somewhat, and both would benefit from sitting out Wednesday's tie on the south coast. Ibe was the pick of the attacking quartet, with direct wing play the order of the day again.

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Benteke, meanwhile, put in another display that failed to impress. The Belgian forward's control eluded him on more than one occasion, and he refused the opportunity when put through on goal in the second half—instead opting to play in Milner.

The Firmino-Benteke partnership doesn't look like one that will be Liverpool's future attacking combination.

Sturridge

Much has been said and written about Sturridge in recent weeks and following each separate injury setback. He's now had 17 different injuries since he arrived at the club in January 2013, according to PhysioRoom, and he has "spent more than half of his Liverpool career absent through either illness or injury," according to the Telegraph.

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For that reason, a 20-minute cameo appearance won't be enough for Klopp to start thinking that Sturridge can now be relied upon to stay fit during the winter months, but it will provide optimism.

Jack Vaughan for MailOnline wrote:

"

Whether or not he [Sturridge] possesses some hypochondriac tendencies or he is just chronically unfortunate matters little - Liverpool just need him on the pitch.

And the sight of Sturridge entering the slender win against Swansea was one which filled The Kop with hope going into a hectic Christmas period. 

"

Liverpool need Sturridge on the pitch, despite recent strong form without him, and the 26-year-old can be key to the Reds hitting the next gear.

With 37 goals in 47 Premier League starts, Sturridge's goal record speaks for itself. His goalscoring ratio is up there alongside Sergio Aguero. He just needs to be on the pitch to continue that.

Liverpool have struggled for goals in the last 20 months since Luis Suarez departed and Sturridge was mostly sidelined. To have a goalscorer of the latter's calibre in place would give Klopp's side a whole new edge.

With an improved defensive shape and strong options in midfield, Sturridge linking with Firmino and Coutinho in attack offers a very exciting prospect for the Anfield faithful.

Compared to Benteke, the former Man City and Chelsea forward has better movement, is more clinical and is more suited to Liverpool's style. He combines better with the other attacking players Liverpool have available.

You need only to look at the goals against Aston Villa in late September for reasons why Sturridge can improve this Liverpool side—and how well he combines with Coutinho in particular.

Having a fit and firing Sturridge in attack will give Liverpool a whole new dimension—at a time when the top four is in sight and fixtures are favourable.

Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.