Red of the Day - Daniel Sturridge

written by Dave Usher

Daniel Sturridge was one of the most highly rated teenagers in Europe when he broke through at Manchester City. He'd caught the eye against the Reds in the FA Youth Cup, scoring twice in the second leg of the final as City almost overturned a 3-0 deficit from the 1st leg at Anfield.

With City having been taken over by Sheikh Mansouri, they went on a spending spree that convinced Sturridge his future was best served elsewhere, and he made a surprise move to Chelsea in 2009. Opportunities were limited at Stamford Bridge but he was a regular part of the squad and impressed when called upon.

It was a loan spell at Bolton in 2011 when Sturridge really announced his arrival as a Premier League player, scoring 8 goals in 12 appearances for the Trotters. At Chelsea he was often used wide in a front three, but he craved the opportunity to play centrally. With Drogba around, that wasn't going to happen. 

Chelsea's £50m purchase of Fernando Torres pushed Sturridge further down the pecking order, although Andre Villas Boas selected him often on the right of the forward line. The departure of AVB and subsequent arrival of Roberto Di Matteo did Sturridge no favours and he found it difficult to force his way into the side.

With the Reds desperate for a pacy forward to link up with Luis Suarez, Brendan Rodgers swooped for Sturridge in January 2013, and despite speculation that he'd employ him in one of the wide positions either side of Suarez, Rodgers was adamant that Sturridge would play centrally and that Suarez would be moved to accommodate him.

Eyebrows were raised, as Suarez had been in incredible form as the main central striker, but Sturridge repaid the faith of Rodgers immediately by making a sensational start to his Liverpool career. He scored within minutes of making his debut at Mansfield, and he scored again the following week when coming off the bench at Old Trafford. 

Another goal followed in his next game, a 5-0 rout of Norwich at Anfield, and after drawing a blank at the Emirates he bounced back with a great goal and stunning performance away at former club Man City. He made it five goals in seven starts when he converted a penalty against Swansea

Daniel STURRIDGE Date Of Birth: 01/09/89  Nationality: English   Postition: Striker    Squad Number: 15 Cost: £12m Club Hons (Lpool):  Int Hons: England caps Other Clubs: Manchester City, Chelsea, Bolton Wanderers (loan)