Daniel Sturridge Comments on Playing 'Difficult' Wide Role at Liverpool

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has suggested he is unhappy with being moved into a wide position this season but accepts he "has to do a job for the team."

Per the Daily Mail's Dominic King, the England international was asked if he was happy at being moved to the right flank in his first two outings this campaign. He replied: "Well, I have to do a job for the team. That's not saying I am happy to do it. That's saying I have got to do a job for the team. It's a team game. If I'm put in that position, I have to play there."

Sturridge took up the position in the 2-0 defeat to Burnley and was withdrawn after little more than an hour and came on as a substitute in the 5-0 thrashing of Burton Albion in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, again playing on the right and scoring twice.

The striker noted that despite his goals in the League Cup, the transition has not been easy thus far: 

"

Of course it's more difficult for me to play wide. I'm a centre forward. In the modern day game, you have to try and be flexible but everyone knows my best position. Everyone knows where I enjoy playing the most. I just have to do a job for the team.

I'm a player who plays on instinct and in the middle I have clarity on movements and things that I have been doing for years. I am on autopilot there. You just do things because you are used to doing it. But when you are out wide, you have got to worry about different things. It's just a different way.

"

Sturridge added that his new role had not been explained to him, but he insisted he was "not making any complaints" and would continue to give "100 per cent."

The Times' Tony Barrett believes Sturridge's comments were to be expected:

Indeed, his desire to play in his natural central position was one of the driving factors behind his move to Liverpool in the first place, as he would often be relegated to a wide position at Chelsea.

While he bagged a brace against Burton, it's difficult to gauge his long-term effectiveness in the position based on a game against lower-league opposition.

His performance against Burnley received mixed reviews. Bleacher Report UK's Jack Lusby was fairly impressed with his individual contribution:

The numbers reflect a different story, however, per Squawka Football:

So far, Roberto Firmino and Divock Origi have been preferred to him in the centre. Gianluca Di Marzio's Joseph Musker believes the latter is deserving of a place ahead of Sturridge:

"

Sturridge has so much ability, but I'd have Origi ahead of him in a Klopp team every time.

— Joseph Musker (@Musker_LFC) August 20, 2016"

Indeed, the Belgian's energy and willingness to press makes him well-suited to manager Jurgen Klopp's system—Sturridge less so.

However, the Englishman is by far the most clinical finisher and, naturally, the most prolific goalscorer in the Liverpool squad.

Moving him to the right does not get the best out of his talents—he's clearly not a natural winger, and his goal threat will be lessened against Premier League opposition .

Given Sturridge's appearance record—he missed 17 games last season due to injury, according to Transfermarkt—Origi will likely have plenty of opportunities to play through the middle this season, but when the 26-year-old is fit, he needs to be given a central role.