THE IMMINENT ARRIVAL of Mario Balotelli will have a positive impact on Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has suggested.
Liverpool have been on the lookout for a star striker following Luis Suarez’s departure to Barcelona and their search appears done, with enigmatic Milan frontman Balotelli on the verge of sealing a transfer to Anfield.
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Balotelli has led the line at Inter, Manchester City and Milan, and at international level with Italy, raising doubts over Sturridge’s status at Liverpool, despite scoring 36 goals in 50 appearances since leaving Chelsea in January 2013.
However, Rodgers stressed the importance of the England international to his plans and he is adamant another fine partnership can be forged on Merseyside after Sturridge’s exploits alongside Suarez.
“I have spoken to Daniel about how important he is to the team,” Rodgers told reporters ahead of Monday’s trip to defending champions City.
“The confidence I have in him has been shown in his performances and goals — 36 in 50 — and you are not doing that if you are not happy with your life and happy with your football.
“I have said repeatedly that Daniel is a top talent, but we need to have more than one top talent in here. But he is a big player for us and will remain to be.”
Rodgers added: “The dynamics are important but I don’t worry because if you are a top player with a top mind then you want other top players.
“If you are a top player and looking at another top player coming in then you will be thinking, ‘He can help us.’ A top player with a top mentality responds to the competition.
“We can also play a diamond. We played that eight times last year and won seven, and we flipped to that against Southampton. We can change systems and I need that flexibility.
“Also, if you look at Daniel’s injury record, then he has missed a number of weeks through being injured. I need to ensure I have got the replacements if they are not on the pitch at the same time.”
Alonso was a Class act lads. What pool or united would give to have someone like him now. Nearly looked for revolver and bottle of whiskey looking at cleverly and fletcher yesterday in centre mid.
Balotelli will be a great buy at 16m when he does eventually sign!!
What Liverpool along with a few other clubs not too far up the road should be considering is strength in the central midfield area!!
Centre midfield is one of the areas Liverpool have plenty of options in with Gerrard, Henderson, Allen, Can and Lucas. Even Lallana and Coutinho can play in there. Gerrard is on his last legs but there is more than enough competition for places in there. Sure it would be great to have an Alonso or a Kross but it’s an area that required the least strengthening this summer.
Liverpool have plenty of midfielders but no outstanding one. The all round midfield player is a dying breed. Now its either an attacking midfielder who cant defend or defensive midfielders who cant attack. I miss Alonso!
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Jordan Henderson has emerged as an outstanding midfielder.
Alonso was a Class act lads. What pool or united would give to have someone like him now. Nearly looked for revolver and bottle of whiskey looking at cleverly and fletcher yesterday in centre mid.
Sturridge has that great strikers ability to play terrible but still get a goal. If Mario can do both he will put Sturridge under pressure.
Balotelli will be a great buy at 16m when he does eventually sign!!
What Liverpool along with a few other clubs not too far up the road should be considering is strength in the central midfield area!!
Worry about your own midfield till the window shuts then you can start to worry about other teams up the road
Are Liverpool light in midfield?
Centre midfield is one of the areas Liverpool have plenty of options in with Gerrard, Henderson, Allen, Can and Lucas. Even Lallana and Coutinho can play in there. Gerrard is on his last legs but there is more than enough competition for places in there. Sure it would be great to have an Alonso or a Kross but it’s an area that required the least strengthening this summer.
Liverpool have plenty of midfielders but no outstanding one. The all round midfield player is a dying breed. Now its either an attacking midfielder who cant defend or defensive midfielders who cant attack. I miss Alonso!
Johnny, nice attitude as expected! You have no class centre midfield in the same way Liverpool will have none either when Gerard goes!
Why did you feel the need to bring it up ? This is a Liverpool thread and you just looking for a reaction .
Not at all it’s simply topical!! And it’s a big topic at that!!! Chelsea and City have it sorted. The others challenging don’t!!!
This should be a class match…
If balo turns sturrage or sterlings head it will be a disaster but if he scores 15 goals this season an 20 the next we sell him for 50 million
Does brendan rogers have some kind of bet with jamie redknapp?
Sturridge is under pressure now so expect a cracking performance tonight.