I am going to miss Daniel Sturridge. There are always players that you have that soft spot for and Studge is in that category for me. I was buzzing when we got him. I wasn’t a huge fan of the clubs had played for, but I didn’t see him as ‘one of them’ and I had always enjoyed watching him play. He certainly became ‘one of my boyz’ as I say.
From a non-football side, he will also be a big miss. Some of the clips on LFCTV etc have been class. Banter like this is a big part of a dressing room and he has a big presence, it is clear he was a popular figure. Studge has a decent taste in music too, I see he likes Vybz Kartel, the King of Dancehall. I love a bit of Vybz. Just had to mention that.
The way Sturridge finishes is a thing of beauty. The biggest compliment I can give him is that he had the ability to pull a goal out of nowhere, similar in many ways to a certain hero of mine, Robbie Fowler. It is that old cliche of being a ‘natural born goalscorer’ but it is so true. Effortless but with maximum effect. He just plays in an ice-cool manner and the way he takes his chances shows that. His goals against Sevilla in the Europa League Final and that chip against West Brom in 2013 being top examples. Another similarity with Fowler is the gift for being able to score goals with their left, their right or their head. It doesn’t matter. Different gear!
He was absolutely on fire the first two seasons he was with us and nearly delivered the league title with it. Some of the memories from that season, in particular, will stay forever. Injuries have clearly played their part at times, that is clear for everyone to see. When he has played though he has always added a different dimension to the side and has played a key role many times. There were also important goals in different games against United and Everton, something that will always endear you to a Red. A goal in just over every two games is a prolific return. Period.
My favourite goals of his actually tended to come against Aston Villa. No reason why, just the way it was. The one away from home in a 1-0 win in 2013 and the brace in 2015 at Anfield were all classy goals. As was the one against Palace, where he turned the defender inside out at Anfield. My favourite though was reserved for an absolute screamer at Stamford Bridge last September. There were some wild celebrations when that one went in, let me tell you!
With hindsight, it is great to see him leave with a Champions League winners medal. You could see how much he was loving it and he definitely played his part. Quality. Check out his swag here!
I wish him all the very best with his next move, wherever it may be, he still has a lot to offer and his style of play will always be a pleasure to watch.
Thanks for the good Vybz Studge.
Al Davies
The Gubbage and the Glory! 