Monthly Archives: August 2014

Sturridge: Liverpool have proved we can cope without Suarez

The England international believes the Reds are a far stronger outfit this season despite the departure of last season’s top scorer to Barcelona


Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge says his side have proved they can cope without striker Luis Suarez after beating Southampton 2-1 at Anfield in their opening Premier League game of the new season.

Raheem Sterling opened the scoring for the Reds before Nathaniel Clyne equalised for the visitors but Sturridge netted the winner from close range in the 79th minute to hand Brendan Rodgers’ side all three points.

Speaking after the game Sturridge admitted he is under pressure to provide Liverpool’s goals this season, following the departure of Suarez to Barcelona, but insisted that he is relishing the challenge.

“There’s pressure on myself to get the goals now. With Luis [Suarez] out the team and of course he scored 30 odds goals last season,” the forward told Sky Sports.

“It’s important for me and the other lads to step up and Raheem showed today that he’s got a cool head and he can finish.

“I’m glad that he’s continuing the scoring into the season. He’s improving all the time. It’s important as a collective unit we all provide the goals.”

The Reds handed debuts to Dejan Lovren and Javier Manquillo while Rickie Lambert also appeared as a substitute and Sturridge says Liverpool are a far stronger squad than the one that finished season last season.

“I think so [Liverpool have improved from last season]. With the players the manager’s brought in, no disrespect to Luis, he’s a great player and he will be missed, but we move on from that now,” he added.

“We’ve shown today we can win games, we can score goals and we defended well. With Raheem and other players producing we’ll be okay this season.”

Liverpool 2-1 Southampton: Late Sturridge strike saves Reds

The England international began life after Luis Suarez in impressive fashion as Brendan Rodgers’ men opened the new season with a win over Ronald Koeman’s men


Daniel Sturridge was the hero as Liverpool overcame a spirited Southampton to begin their Premier League campaign with a hard-earned three points at Anfield.

Leading the line in a competitive match for the first time since Luis Suarez’s summer move to Barcelona, Sturridge glanced Raheem Sterling’s header beyond Fraser Forster on 79 minutes.

Sterling had earlier given Liverpool the lead when he raced onto a superb Jordan Henderson pass on 23 minutes, but the new-look Saints levelled through a brilliant Nathaniel Clyne strike before Sturridge settled matters.

More to follow…

Liverpool must not overpay Sterling, warns Rodgers

The Reds manager plans to reward his young winger for his excellent form last season but wants to ensure that he keeps his feet on the ground, unlike some British players


Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers plans to reward star attacker Raheem Sterling with an improved contract but says that the club must be “careful” not to ruin his motivation by overpaying him.

The 19-year-old rocketed to stardom in 2013-14 and is set to be given an improved deal despite already having terms with the Premier League club until mid-2018.

Rodgers is keen to keep his young talent’s feet on the ground, something with which he feels that many British players struggle.

“[A new contract] will be something that’s done but we need to be careful,” the Northern Irishman told reporters.

“Raheem is a kid who has propelled himself on to another level. He got rewarded for that and that will always be the case here but we have to be careful because, when you reward young players too quickly, that will be their downfall.

“It’s a big problem with British players. Why? Because the reward is no longer there, they lose their hunger.

“Young players driving about – I say driving about, they buy a new Range Rover Sports before they have even got their driving licence.”