Daniel Sturridge showed he is still an important player for Liverpool with a goalscoring return to Liverpool’s starting line-up. The England striker started his first game since he scored twice in Liverpool’s 6-1 victory over Southampton in the League Cup last year.
Aston Villa were once again very poor and it only took Sturridge 16 minutes to get on the score-sheet. The England striker headed home from a perfectly weighted cross from Philippe Coutinho to get his third league goal of the season in what was only his second start under Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool have been lacking a striker this season who can fit in with Jurgen Klopp’s style of play. Christian Benteke has spent most of his time on the bench recently, with Klopp preferring to use Firmino as the focal point of attack. Klopp likes to have a striker with flair and Sturridge has showed how much Liverpool have missed his influence on the team.
Brendan Rodgers could potentially still be the Liverpool manager if Sturridge was fully fit this season. Liverpool have been lacking goals this season and I don’t see Benteke having much of a future at Liverpool. Sturridge has the potential to form a deadly partnership with Coutinho and if they stay fit, they could elevate Liverpool to the top four positions next season. The Champions League positions are out of reach for Liverpool this season, but these two will have a massive impact on determining where Liverpool finish this season.
Sturridge is more important to Liverpool than just for his goals, Jurgen Klopp believes he is a complete striker. “Of course, we need the goals of Daniel and he needs the goals – that’s clear,” said Klopp. “But for me it is not [just about being] a striker, he can score of course, but how in tune he is with the team, his movements. “He’s a real striker, that’s really good to see.
“On the pitch it’s really difficult to defend if he’s always somewhere and you don’t know where he is on the pitch, and that’s of course very important for us.”
Klopp and his medical staff have insisted Sturridge would not be rushed back and the wait looks to have paid off. The striker was an unused substitute against Sunderland last week, he came on as a substitute in the FA Cup replay defeat at West Ham and he showed the Liverpool fans a glimpse of what they had been missing. Klopp gave Sturridge just over an hour before being withdrawn with the Reds 3-0 ahead.
Two seasons ago Liverpool came the closest they have been to winning the Premier League in years. Sturridge led the attack with Suarez and Sterling, with the latter two no longer at the club. Steven Gerrard was also a key figure that year and he has also left the club. For Liverpool to be competing for trophies over the next few years; Klopp needs to build his team around Coutinho and Sturridge because he is still a very important player for Liverpool.
Liverpool Women host Aston Villa at St. Helens Stadium on Sunday in a match that could seal their fate as relegation candidates. The Reds sit at the bottom of the WSL table with just 7 points from 14 matches, while Villa occupy 8th with 16 points after suffering a late 2-1 defeat to Everton last weekend.
Gareth Taylor’s side are running out of time to save their season with just nine games remaining. The 3-1 loss to Manchester United exposed glaring defensive frailties that have plagued Liverpool all campaign, and Villa will fancy their chances of collecting three crucial points away from home.
Kick-off: 12:00 GMT, Sunday, February 8, 2026
Venue: St Helens Stadium, St Helens
TV: Sky Sports
Taylor’s Honeymoon Period Emphatically Over
The former Manchester City coach has endured a nightmare start to life at Liverpool, winning just once in the league this season against Tottenham on January 25th. That solitary victory briefly offered hope before reality crashed back down at Old Trafford last weekend.
Martha Thomas, Denise O’Sullivan, and Alice Bergstrom have provided attacking quality since arriving in January, but the Reds continue shipping goals at an alarming rate. Liverpool have conceded 24 goals already, giving them the joint worst defensive record alongside West Ham.
Villa Struggling for Consistency
Aston Villa threw away a winning position against Everton after Ebony Salmon’s early opener, eventually succumbing to Martina Fernandez’s late strike. Natalia Arroyo’s side remains frustratingly inconsistent despite flashes of quality throughout the season.
The Villans beat Brighton 2-1 before the Everton loss, but were thrashed 4-1 by Manchester United the week prior. Villa needs to string together consecutive wins if they harbour any ambitions of climbing back towards mid table.
Predicted Lineups:
Liverpool (4-1-4-1): Falk; Shimizu, Clark, Fisk, Bernabe; Nagano; Bergstrom, O’Sullivan, Kapocs, Holland; Thomas
Aston Villa (3-4-2-1): Roebuck; Blinkilde, Mayling, Pacheco; Mullett, Dali, Blindkilde, Deslandes; Salmon, Lehmann; Daly
Liverpool
Liverpool Goalkeeper Loaned to Bayer Leverkusen as Reds Look to Clear Path for Jennifer Falk and Rachael Laws
Liverpool have sent goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe back to Germany on a loan deal until the end of the season, with the 25 year old joining Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the Google Pixel Frauen Bundesliga.
The move makes perfect sense for both parties as Gareth Taylor’s side have already solidified their goalkeeping options during the January window.
Borggräfe joined Liverpool from SC Freiburg last summer but has struggled to establish herself as a regular starter, making just four appearances in all competitions during her time at Merseyside. A six match suspension handed out by the Football Association following an incident during pre season further set back her development at the club.
Ban and Limited Minutes Force Liverpool’s Hand
The suspension was a significant blow for the German international, who was already finding it difficult to break into a competitive goalkeeping setup. Liverpool dealt with the matter internally and have now moved on, but the timing of the ban clearly played a role in the decision to send her back to familiar surroundings in Germany.
Falk Making Impressive Start at Liverpool
Liverpool strengthened their goalkeeping ranks considerably during January by bringing in Swedish international Jennifer Falk on loan from BK Häcken. Falk has made an impressive early impression on Merseyside and has established herself as a key figure between the sticks.
Smart Squad Management From Taylor
With both Falk and Rachael Laws competing for the first choice jersey, opportunities for Borggräfe would have been extremely limited for the rest of the season. This is exactly the kind of smart squad management Liverpool need right now as they desperately fight to avoid the relegation playoff at the bottom of the WSL table.
Liverpool are next in action against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, with Taylor hoping his side can build on their encouraging recent form.
Manchester United Women host bottom placed Liverpool at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday as Marc Skinner’s side look to extend their impressive seven game unbeaten run in all competitions. The Red Devils sit fourth in the WSL table, just one point behind third placed Arsenal, while the visitors are desperately fighting to avoid the relegation playoff.
United head into this derby clash in excellent form following their 4-1 thrashing of Aston Villa last weekend. Goals from Julia Zigiotti Olme, Elisabeth Terland, Jess Park and Hanna Lundkvist secured a dominant away victory that continued their momentum after beating Arsenal in the League Cup semi finals.
Kick-off: 11:55 GMT, Sunday, February 2, 2026
Venue: Leigh Sports Village, Manchester
TV: Sky Sports (UK)
United Chasing Champions League Qualification
This is a must win game for Manchester United if they want to maintain their push for UWCL qualification. Just four points separate Tottenham in fifth from Chelsea in second, making every match crucial in this tight battle for European places.
Skinner remains without Leah Galton and Ella Toone due to back and hip injuries respectively, though Gabby George and Fridolina Rolfo have returned to training. Elisabeth Terland and Hanna Lundkvist are pushing for starts after impressive substitute appearances against Villa.
Liverpool Boosted by First Win
Liverpool finally recorded their first WSL victory of the season last weekend, beating Tottenham with two stoppage time goals. Gareth Taylor has strengthened considerably in January, and several new arrivals featured in that crucial home win.
The Reds remain without Sam Kerr, Martha Thomas, Marie Hobinger and Zara Shaw, while January signing Anna Josendal is not ready to debut. Beata Olsson is back in full training and could feature.
Predicted Lineups:
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Zigiotti Olme; Wangerheim, Park, Malard; Terland
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Falk; Shimizu, Clark, Fisk, Woodham; Nagano, O’Sullivan; Bergstrom, Kapocs, Holland; Enderby
Also read: Arsenal WFC vs. Leicester City WFC: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
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