Should Jurgen Klopp Risk Starting Daniel Sturridge Twice in 4 Days?
Manchester City and Chelsea had Daniel Sturridge on their books for nearly a decade, yet neither club could fashion a place for the Birmingham-born attacker to thrive.
Often played on the wing, or given superficial cameos at centre-forward, Sturridge eventually found respite at Liverpool, but his greatest enemy has not been executive oversight or managerial incompetence—it has been his own body.
Frequently betrayed by muscle injures, the 26-year-old is an obvious injury risk. When fit, however, Sturridge is a natural finisher, a natural goalscorer.
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In 76 appearances for Liverpool, the England international has 46 goals (a 61 percent clip)—a ratio on a par with Luis Suarez (62 percent) and Fernando Torres (57 percent). While the latter two were more reliable during their Anfield days, the figures are indisputable: Sturridge, when fit, is the Reds' best forward option.
This gives manager Jurgen Klopp a slight dilemma when constructing his team sheets for Liverpool's upcoming matches.
On Thursday, Augsburg travel to Merseyside. Without an away goal, the three-time UEFA Cup/Europa League champions are in a tight spot. They cannot relax and wait for opportunities—as one goal for the German side requires two in reply—but the game plan required to maintain control mandates risk.
Ceding possession to the Bundesliga club is asking for trouble, but keeping it opens Anfield to counterattacking football. The logical approach is hitting the Germans quickly. Doing this requires a clinical striker, not necessarily Christian Benteke (target man) or Roberto Firmino (false nine), but the complete package in Sturridge.
One issue: Liverpool have a League Cup final next Sunday.
"Also, do you want Klopp to keep using Sturridge or do you think we should rest him vs Augsburg.. Is he fit enough for 3 in a row?
— LFCTS (@LFCTS) February 20, 2016"
Manchester City await the Reds at Wembley Stadium in the 2015/16 League Cup final. An opportunity for their first piece of silverware in four years—and Klopp's first English trophy—many would place the Capital One Cup above the Europa League based solely on its immediate obtainability.
Looking at the Premier League table, though, Liverpool's best chance to secure Champions League football next season (aiding Klopp in his first summer transfer window and rebuilding project) is winning the Europa League, earning automatic qualification. Losing to Augsburg, or even a draw with goals, ends virtually all 2016/17 Champions League hope.
Ideally, Klopp would start Sturridge for both matches, playing his primary threat for at least 180 minutes (possibly up to 240 minutes with extra time), and let the football gods have their say—but the striker's injury record is serious cause for concern.
Were Benteke firing, were Firmino a natural centre-forward, were Divock Origi more seasoned and were Danny Ings healthy, their German boss would possess several viable options from which to scheme, but those permutations are either impossible or fail to provide winning's best solution. Sturridge is that man, but he has not played 90 minutes since October 4.
Can Klopp trust his attacking focal point to play back-to-back matches without re-aggravating an old injury, or creating a new one? On evidence, the answer is not really; but does he have a better option than risking the 26-year-old? Again, the answer is not really.
Of course Liverpool could flirt with giving Sturridge reduced minutes, nursing him during both games, but that delivers their ambitions a heavy blow. Although it may go against pervading logic, Sturridge must start both games, play as long as possible against Augsburg with eyes on a potential 120-minute match versus Manchester City at Wembley.
If the next two matches go against Liverpool, this season becomes preparation for 2016/17. All hands must participate in making sure whatever can be squeezed from 2015/16 is; that includes Sturridge—and the frame many feel has prevented him from reaching the heights of English football.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
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