Daniel Sturridge on West Brom loan and future at Liverpool

When Daniel Sturridge went on a 6-month loan deal to West Bromwich Albion in January, his time at  Anfield looked all but over.

However, after getting away to personal responsibilities and regain his fitness, the England striker has looked like a breath of fresh air since returning to Melwood on July 2.

The form of Liverpool’s electric front three last three meant Sturridge warmed the bench for large parts of last season, only scoring twice in nine appearances last season for the Reds.

READ: Sturridge on Keita: ‘He has got everything’

Liverpool’s Divok Origi (left) and Daniel Sturridge (right) during the pre-season friendly match against Tranmere Rovers (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

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The 28-year-old’s performances during Liverpool’s early pre-season will give Jurgen Klopp food for thought before Liverpool’s first league game against West Ham on August 11.

The World-Cup has delayed a number of key players from returning to pre-season and with Sturridge striking up an instant impact with Naby Keita, it could force the player into Klopp’s plans for the opening day.

My ambition is to train hard and work hard in pre-season,” he told Liverpoolfc.com

“There are a lot of running sessions and a lot more pre-season games to go. And there’s no pressure. There are a lot of games during the season so it’s about giving your all when you get your minutes.

“I’m not putting any pressure on myself or the management or my teammates. It’s about enjoying myself. I’m part of an unbelievable group, we have a chance to be successful this season. Everybody is pulling together and being part of that unity – being together as one and trying to make this team successful – is what it’s all about.

“We want to win trophies and we want to be successful. It starts now and it’s a long season.

“It doesn’t matter whether you play the first game or the 50th game – as long as you’re involved in the journey that’s all that matters.”

The former Chelsea and Man City striker is palpably changing his role, and to good effect, as he now voluntarily often drops deep, while doing what he does best in front of goal.

“I’m probably just doing more. It’s important for me to try to get involved,” he explains.

“Playing on the shoulder is what I like to do but it’s also important to come and get involved and get in and around the opposition’s No.6. It’s adding more strings to my bow and giving the manager more options if he needs to play me deeper.

“But wherever I play, it doesn’t matter – it’s just important to get the minutes.”

It’s an evolution that has occurred naturally rather than on instruction.

“It has just happened. I think I’ve always been capable of doing that but I’ve always been on the shoulder, so I haven’t done it as often as I am now,” Sturridge said.

“But it doesn’t matter where I play or which role I’m in, as long as I’m out there and pushing myself to my limits. The minutes are important in pre-season, putting your best foot forward and working as hard as you can.”

The players time in the West Midlands has greatly emphasised to Sturridge what it means to be at the club he calls ‘home’.

Daniel Sturridge’s loan at West Brom was plagued by injury

Six, injury-beset, months spent at a turbulent West Brom, who eventually got relegated, was enough for Sturridge to re-evaluate and focus on getting back to his very best.

“It was important for me to get my head in the right place and evolve as a person. I had things that I needed to sort out with my family and things like that,” he said.

“I’m just happy to be back and to push myself and be part of the group again.

“When I went away I learned too. That’s also a good thing. When you’re not involved in the environment you learn a lot about yourself, the team, watching from afar and seeing how the team are playing. You can learn more when you’re outside the environment.

“I learned a lot watching the games the boys were playing in and also being away and being in a different team’s environment and seeing how they work too.”

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Source: anfieldhq.com