According to recent reports, the Turin side – Juventus – are ready to make a swoop for Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge come January.
Having dropped down the pecking order from first team duties, the Croatia international Mario Mandzukic wants out when the winter transfer window opens, and the Serie A perennial winners see the England international as one of their candidates to replace the wantaway Croat.
Should Liverpool let Sturridge go for a price?
Putting so many factors into consideration, it’s a yes and no dilemma. Yes, considering the short-term, but no, with the long-term in mind.
At the moment, the 2nd choice striking role is between him and Origi, also on Juventus list. And that would remain so for a long while given how splendid Firmino has been as a false 9.
Sturridge’s injury and fitness troubles aside, the assurance of regular playing time is not certain, and as long as he wants to fight for a shirt, Klopp would always give him the chance. On the flip side, he hasn’t really taken the few ones he has had this term with both hands.
If by the turn of the year, things haven’t changed and he once again expresses his frustration at being a squad player, a chance to move to Turin could be more than tempting for the 27-year-old. Liverpool shouldn’t come in his way. Though if he’d ever beat Higuain and Dybala to a starting shirt in Italy is a story for another day.
In the long term, Liverpool’s chances of returning to Europe are very high, and looking beyond January here, having a quality backup like Sturridge, who can still play his way back into the team for a starting shirt is very important.
Firmino won’t have to bear all the workload alone, and neither Origi nor Ings (yes, he is still in Liverpool) have got the experience to perform to standard on the continent.
Come winter, if Juventus do launch a serious bid for Sturridge (since allowing Origi depart is a no brainer), the Anfield outfit could be thrown in between the devil and the deep blue sea.
Will selling him be a wise decision?
As far as quality out-and-out strikers go, Sturridge ticks all the right boxes, and he definitely can help fire Liverpool to glory if he manages to stay fit, and most importantly regain his lost form.
But that has seemed almost impossible in the past 12 months since Klopp’s arrival, and it’s no surprise to see that the German have found a solution without the former Chelsea forward.
From the look of things, he might really be considered surplus to requirements at the end of the day, and if the player so wishes to depart, selling him would be a wise choice. Provided Klopp has a perfect plan for life without the English striker. Bet he does.
Not every love story has a happy ending, and another Sterling vs club transfer saga could unfold in the near future if a solution isn’t found sooner rather than later.
Comments are closed.