Liverpool predicted XI vs Chelsea: Friday Night Football
By Tom Bogert
ST Daniel Sturridge
Sturridge played fresh and in tune against Leicester. While he didn’t get on the scoresheet, his impact didn’t go unnoticed.
The striker provided a highlight reel, unselfish backheel assist to Mane for Liverpool’s second goal but his intelligent run opened the space for Firmino to run into behind him for the opening goal.
The more Sturridge gets to play with Firmino rather than it being one-or-the-other the better for Klopp and Liverpool. The two compliment each other well.
When it’s just Firmino, then the Brazilian has to play like a more traditional number nine and be the highest up the pitch. He needs to do some traditional work, like be inside the box or splitting the center backs more often than not.
When it’s just Sturridge, then the Englishman doesn’t have Firmino who links the midfield to striker exceptionally well. Not to say that Coutinho, Mane and Lallana are incapable of doing so, Firmino just completes the puzzle.
Sturridge AND Firmino, not Sturridge OR Firmino, please.