Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believes Daniel Sturridge can still be “world-class” after the striker scored in Tuesday’s Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
Sturridge was handed his first start of the season against PSG as Roberto Firmino was only fit enough for the bench after suffering an eye injury against Tottenham.
And the 29-year-old, who spent an injury-hit second half of last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion, took his chance by opening the scoring in Liverpool’s 3-2 win.
He was eventually replaced by Firmino and the Brazilian scored the winning goal in stoppage time, which could see him returning to the starting line-up this weekend.
But Warnock believes Sturridge will continue to be a crucial player for Liverpool this season and could potentially still reach a world-class level.
“In pre-season, when Reds boss Jurgen Klopp wanted to see him fit and hungry, his attitude was exactly right,” Warnock wrote in a column for BBC Sport. “I watched him a lot and his performances were impressive too.
“That is why Klopp handed him his first start in a Reds shirt since November 2017 because, when you get Daniel fit and firing, you cannot ignore him. We are talking about having a £50m player at your disposal because he is potentially a world-class striker.
“Of course, it is important that he knows his role at the club because if Liverpool’s front three of Sadio Mane, Firmino and Mohamed Salah are in form, they are still going to play most of the games.
“But all players need a rest, especially when you are in Europe and the games come thick and fast, and there are going to be times when Sturridge, and others, will get their chance.”
Sturridge scored 24 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions for the Reds in 2013/14, which remains by far his most productive season at the club.
Since then he has failed to hit double figures in any Premier League campaign, although there are high hopes for the former Manchester City and Chelsea man this term.
Warnock added: “Sturridge is not a new player of course, but having him fit and in form has been so rare recently that he might as well be.
“I was made up for him to get his goal and he fully deserved his standing ovation when he came off for Firmino in the second half.”
Sturridge will be hoping for another start when Southampton pay a visit to Anfield on Saturday.
The post Sturridge can still be a world-class striker, says Stephen Warnock appeared first on Squawka News.
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