The England international, who is in line to face Denmark tomorrow as the Three Lions warm up for this summer’s World Cup, scored in eight successive Premier League matches since returning from an injury that ruled him out of Liverpool’s festive fixture list. The 24-year old came close to matching former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy’s long standing record of scoring in ten successive matches, but fell short when he failed to hit the target during the Reds 3-0 win over Southampton on Saturday.
Sturridge has been a revelation since swapping Stamford Bridge for Merseyside just over a year ago and his uncle – former Derby striker Dean Sturridge – isn’t surprised by his nephew’s steady rise to stardom. “The perception was that it was about money, that he was an upstart” he told the Express about his move from Chelsea to Liverpool. “But that confidence in himself has come to fruition now and I think you are seeing why he had as much confidence as he did.” Well, the fans certainly have anyways.
This most recent plaudit, which is voted on by the supporters, can be added to the Barclay’s Player of the Month award that he awarded back in August after scoring the winner in each of Liverpool’s opening three matches – including strikes against Stoke City, Aston Villa and Manchester United. One lucky voter will get to award Sturridge the trophy before the Reds home match with Sunderland on March 26th at Anfield – something they’ll surely never forget.
