Why Liverpool are taking a big risk by letting Daniel Sturridge leave the club on loan

Loaning out a player who has not seen the field in almost two months is usually fine business. In the case of Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool are taking a huge risk.

Go to Youtube. Search: Daniel Sturridge. Click on a highlight reel. Watch a goal, two, a few minutes, an entire compilation. Re-familiarize yourself.

Daniel Sturridge has an innate ability to score goals. He can do it in a variety of ways. The problem? He cannot stay on the field.

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Wednesday, December 6, 2017: Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge is brought down by FC Spartak Moscow’s goalkeeper Aleksandr during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Liverpool FC and FC Spartak Moscow at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

He has appeared in just 15 games for Liverpool this season. He has started just five. He last appeared in a Liverpool jersey on December 6th. While a portion of his diminished appearances can be attributed to managerial decisions, it was his inability to stay healthy that overshadowed his Liverpool career.

Despite all this, Jurgen Klopp’s decision to loan him out to West Bromwich Albion is still a huge risk.

James Pearce of Liverpool Echo wrote an entire piece on this transfer. He begins by asking the most important question: ‘What do Liverpool get out of it?’

I have no answer.

I am not angry that Sturridge is gone. I am frustrated by what his absence leaves behind. Simply put, Sturridge provided cover to the nightmare scenario – an injury to a member of the “Fab Three”.

That is what this loan is about.

Depth. At this point in a season, depth becomes the key to success. And Liverpool lack it.

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND – Sunday, October 1, 2017: Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge sits on the ground dejected during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St. James’ Park. (Pic by Paul Greenwood/Propaganda)

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Nobody can seamlessly replace Roberto Firmino, Mohamad Salah or Sadio Mane in the event one of them goes down. But Sturridge was the most viable backup. Despite all the injuries, Daniel Sturridge has proven he can score goals in a Liverpool uniform. While his most productive seasons might be in the past, he is still a 28-year-old striker who – when healthy – attracts attention up top.

As of right now, the same cannot be said for Danny Ings or Dominic Solanke. Neither have scored for Liverpool this season. And Liverpool are running out of time to get one of these two going.

The second half of the season is upon us. The importance of each match is increasing. This weekend is no different. Liverpool vs Tottenham.

It is a match that will have significant top-four implications. Looking further down the road, it does not get any easier. The start of Champions League knockout phase football is only a few weeks away.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – Saturday, September 23, 2017: Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge during the FA Premier League match between Leicester City and Liverpool at the King Power Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

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In order to meet their targets in both competitions, Liverpool’s front three are going to have to continue firing on all cylinders. But as the season wears on, the matches become more strenuous and the opposition more difficult. Substitutes become critical. A balance must be struck between a lethal front three and a healthy front three.

That is what makes the role of “striker off the bench” so important.

Loaning out Sturridge to West Bromwich Albion is a huge risk. Liverpool is asking for an unrealistic return from our three most valuable players and their replacements are currently not trustworthy. If you think they are, then that is simply where you and I differ.

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