Sludge
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He did that elaborate muscle strengthening regime in the States. Maybe it's left him feeling (literally) a bit heavy legged. Or maybe he's not shaken off that anxiety they said he'd acquired about the prospect of getting another injury. I can't think of any other excuse. If not one or both of those, he's got an attitude that stinks.
It was noted privately at the club as far as back as his first season season when, a couple of times, he was declared fit but then held back. Rodgers made a couple of mildly barbed remarks about him being hesitant but privately was quite rattled. Then this season, when he started with the 'maybe it's hereditary' stuff, the staff were determined to move him well away from that sort of mindset. It obviously wasn't laid out in public but there were private briefings which resulted in articles like this one by Rory Smith:
Rory Smith
Last updated at 12:01AM, November 20 2014
Possibly the most telling assessment of Daniel Sturridge’s injury troubles came from the player himself in a radio interview, just after he had sustained the thigh strain while away with England that is threatening to blight his season.
“Maybe it’s hereditary,” the Liverpool striker said of his propensity to pick up muscle strains. “Maybe the fast-twitch muscle fibres that [mean] I have speed make me more vulnerable.”
There is no question that Sturridge is injured. The thigh issue that caused Brendan Rodgers and Roy Hodgson to fall out, the calf injury that delayed his comeback, the thigh problem he picked up this week: they are all real. But there is a psychological dimension to such things, too, and it is here that Liverpool perhaps have more cause for concern.
There are, broadly speaking, two types of player: those who will play through injury and those who feel they have to be almost in peak condition to give of their best. Those who have worked with Sturridge would probably suggest that he fits the latter category.
Both of his first two injuries this season were grade 1 strains. That ordinarily means a period of 12 to 20 days’ rest and recovery before a return to full training. Sturridge needed twice that for the thigh strain and a month, more or less, for the calf problem. On both occasions, the striker was told by the club’s medical team that he was ready to train before he felt he was.
That has led to exasperation among some of Rodgers’s staff with his progress. They have noted that Sturridge’s approach last season was very different; they believe it is because then he felt he had something to prove: namely that he belonged in the same class as Luis Suárez.
Without that motivation, he has reverted to a form of caution that can look like fear. Here, too, he is far from alone. An abundance of quick, explosive players are plagued by muscle strains. The problem is that as soon as one injury is sustained, there is a worry that another may follow.
Sturridge’s dilemma is that he feels mistiming his return could lead to more serious problems. It is not clear what the solution is. He feels he is vulnerable. With every setback, that will only increase.
He was pretty awesome the first 6 months he was here, wasn't Suarez out for most of that?
This is cod psychology, but I wonder whether he's scared of fucking up an opportunity he wanted badly. For a number of years before he moved to us he felt he had the ability to be the main man at a top club; with his move to us and Suarez's departure he's got exactly what he wanted and there's very little by way of excuses left in terms of having the right environment to showcase his talents. So maybe the fear comes with being judged on exactly the standards he felt he should be judged by.
Mirror saying Sturridge could be out for a month with hip injury
That's exceptionally harsh
Sterling isn't a natural finisher but he's still one of the better players up top we have
It's sterling or balo, and balo isn't the right fit for this game
He's a good player, but he's not a striker. Coutinho and Lallana probably have more composure infront of goal than him but we're not advocating playing them up there. All he offers in that position is pace and annoyance for the defenders, not any real scoring threat. It's a bit like when Spain play a 460. I'd rather play Lambert or Balotelli up there (seeing as it seems Borini must have shagged the boss's dog), so if/when a chance does come, it's got a chance of going in. More often than not, we know when Sterling gets a sitter he's going to miss it or pass it straight at the keeper at half a mile an hour.
Sturridge is perma-injured and can't be relied on, and we don't really have any other goal threat options on the striker front. We've left ourselves in a bit of mess. The boss obviously doesn't have any faith really in Balotelli, Lambert or Borini.
Out for a month according to Sky Sports.. Confirmed by Hodgson..
Fancy selling your best stirker and relying on a pensioner, crock and a immature tit to power your forward line..
No matter what you say about Brodgers.. he fucked up there.. Big time..
if we don't make Top 4.. that is the reason why we haven't.. not Gerrard getting sent off against the Scum..
You only need to have a look at the League Table, our severe lack of goals is hurting us..
our Goal difference is not good enough for the Top 4...
Fancy selling your best stirker and relying on a pensioner, crock and a immature tit to power your forward line..
No matter what you say about Brodgers.. he fucked up there.. Big time..
if we don't make Top 4.. that is the reason why we haven't.. not Gerrard getting sent off against the Scum..
You only need to have a look at the League Table, our severe lack of goals is hurting us..
our Goal difference is not good enough for the Top 4...
If you seriously think Rodgers was the only person responsible for creating that situation, I want lots of whatever you're smoking.
Yep.. that is exactly my point.. Goals scored and Goal difference compared to last seasons League table doesn't lie.
That's a shit post Mors.
Sterling had a bit of a horror show against United in the 3nil defeat but it's not like it's Kolo up there. Sterling has something like 12 goals and 11 assists for us this season.
Even though sicknote has been brilliant for periods, I think he should be seen as a backup/sidekick to a quality striker for next season. If we can get one in. We can't push for top 4 ever year if we've only got a striker for half of it.
It's a shame, as he can be brilliant, he's just a liability.
It's a shame, as he can be brilliant, he's just a liability.
How many goals would we have had if Sturridge would have had the opportunities that Sterling has? He needs 10 to score 1. He gets into the positions and does the hardwork, granted. But I'd much prefer Sturridge, mario, lambert, borini, coutinho, lallana, gerrard, allen, henderson, lazar, ibe - with a chance falling to them than Sterling.
I think you are being a bit OTT here Mors.
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