KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum Sturridge Performance - Lallana Impact

I think tonight summed up why Daniel Sturridge isn't in our best team. I thought his work rate and general effort was awful, he's too static and doesn't work hard enough to create space for others. Yes he's very gifted around the 18 yard box but he offers very little outside it. He's looked a shadow of the striker we had playing next to Suarez in 13/14, maybe Luis made him look better than he actually is?

The change in our performance and intensity when Lallana came on was incredible. I can't believe I'm saying this but he looks a completely changed player this season and has to be one of the first names on our team-sheet when fit.

All in all I'm not too disappointed with a draw tonight, Mourinho has a habit of doing a job on us at Anfield and considering the fixtures we have already played I'm happy with where we are in the league. We must beat WBA at home on Saturday though!

YNWA

Both points I never thought I'd accept, but there's no denying Lallana is now crucial to the team and way we play. I freely admit never thinking he was good enough, but Klopp's turning him into a superstar.

As for DS.... ugh.. A joy to watch when on form and a real favourite of mine... but I don't think there's any way back for him. He seems gone mentally and unwilling to do what Klopp wants him too, and what he must for the team. I hope he can snap out of this. He'll no doubt go to a team where he's central to play and score 20+ a season, if he stays fit, but that doesn't matter if he's no good to this team. I think Klopp's always had his card marked and he'll go next summer, ideally we sell him outside the Prem.

Tough seeing Can so poor again. Looks very short of confidence. Hopefully he can get back on track and progress with a few games under his belt.
Worrying seeing Karius flapping again too. Something about Liverpool and 'keepers... He's come into a very high pressure situation so nerves are realistic. Fingers crossed for this guy.

Good season so far. If we can put some of the lesser teams to bed in the next run of games we can cement a top 4 place.

I Agree that Can was poor for a lot of last night, but he did have some very good moments driving forward were he looked dangerous. Just needs to speed his play up and be less sloppy and he'll be fine

Great impact from Lallana and I'm probably the most critical person on him on koptalk, this does not change my mind about him yet but a step in the right direction. He needs to score goals to have a successful season, there is no reason for an attacker to not break double figures in a long season.

Sturridge had a stinker. I only remember 3 touches and he lost the ball on all of those occoasions, You can see why Klopp is not picking him lately.

@WNP, I though Can had a good game coming back from injury and had a good chance to score. I still prefer him over Wijnaldum at this stage.

Stinker or no service. Mane was very poor and court also until he got put back on the left

It's a pity lallana couldn't start because Can could of then occupied lcm instead of rcm against utd. Can is better at shooting than wijnaldum? but I disagree wijnaldum has to start over Can for me at present better holding mid and more direct? I doubt klopp will start Can over henderson.

wouldn't be too harsh on sturridge's performance

both and I'm not being overly harsh, firmino only got service in the first half

Maureen got his tactics right until Lallana came on. We were absolutely bullied first half and although the ref had as good game we could have had a pen for the shirt pull on Can just before he shot.

The tactics from Scumchester were to keep fouling and leaving a foot in until they were booked. Ibrahimovic was persistent offender first half and Rashford could have been booked first minute.

As usual the difference between the teams was De Gea. A good save from Can a fantastic save from Coutinho.

I don't think we did enough to deserve a win but at least we didn't lose. Important thing is we now get a win v WBA on Saturday which will be a tough ask as they will pretty much set themselves up to do the same to us.

Chris,

Correct me if I am wrong (as I was only able to watch the highlights) but wasn't Lallana brought on for Sturridge?

Firmino moved up and until that point had looked nearly as ineffective as Sturridge who then didn't have a chance to be fed by Lallana?

I agree he is really struggling and it appears he is not the sort of striker that can play in small spaces and messy packed boxes. We simply don't play to his strengths- where teams play high up the field and he gets in behind them on the break.

Your thoughts.

It wasn't a terrible game, we had some really good spells. United did very well in the first half to stop us playing. Anytime we'd string 3 or 4 passes together they'd foul and break our momentum. They were also quicker to loose balls and their passing was better.
We haven't faced that type of opposition so far....lessons learned hopefully.