Liverpool supporters around the world have been counting down the days until striker Daniel Sturridge was fit enough to run out for the club again, and though we’ve seen some false dawns, it’s starting to look like he’ll be fit enough to face West Ham United when they visit Anfield on Saturday.
Although he didn’t expand on exactly how much of a part the 25-year old is expecting to play, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers was upbeat in regards to the prospect of being able to name him to the side. “No question,” said the Northern Irishman when asked if his absence has had an effect on results. “I think it’s had a huge impact on our season. “He hasn’t played and the team struggled for a few months, but thankfully we’ve now nailed down a way of working and returned to our football ideals.”
Sturridge, who hasn’t featured since the win over Tottenham Hotspur back in August, has undergone an extensive rehabilitation program to get his fitness back up, but Rodgers isn’t about to rush him back or put any undue pressure on him. “The team is becoming better and better, and when you throw Daniel into that, he shines a different light and adds another dimension. He’s looked very, very good in training today, he was outstanding” enthused the Reds boss. “But we’ll give him another day and I’ll have another chat with him tomorrow just to see where he’s at, but he looks in top-class condition” he explained before issuing a bit of a warning. “He’s been sidelined for a long while and we can’t put all the pressure on him and say he’s going to be the saving grace when he’s on the pitch again. We’ll definitely be a better team with Dan than without.”
While there’s no question that Sturridge’s return will give the team a shot in the arm, it doesn’t look like Liverpool will be getting any boosts in the transfer market this month with Rodgers all but ruling out any new signings coming in. “Every manager wants more, but you can’t pluck players out of the air,” said the manager when asked about any potential activity. “I’d like to do one or two things but players who will improve you aren’t always available. I always said it was likely we wouldn’t do anything and that will probably be the case.”
