New signing Daniel Sturridge will be given opportunity in his favoured central role at Liverpool.
Sturridge’s arrival will see Luis Suarez used as wide attacker or ‘number 10’ behind the forward.
“Daniel’s best position is as a central striker,” Rodgers is quoted in The Times.
Sturridge became frustrated at Chelsea, being used as a wide attacker and not being given a chance in the role he feels he is strongest – although he did admit yesterday that he feels he has learnt a lot from playing wider and that he is happy to play wherever asked.
Sturridge said yesterday “I see myself as a striker. I think I perform best there because my attributes, I believe, are best as a central striker.”
But I have played on the wing and have learned a lot doing so. I’d never refuse to play in that position and I’ve never demanded to play up front, either.
Rodgers agrees with the player on his best position:
“I think for Daniel, his best position will be straight through the middle with his pace. I spoke with Luis at length about this a number of times.
Last week Rodgers told This Is Anfield and other fans sites of his plans, explaining “I don’t see Luis staying in the middle. His strength is on the move, but if you do that you need someone in the box. He’s so creative, but there’s no one to pull the ball back to.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool legend John Barnes has praised Sturridge, saying he believes it would have been difficult to have got anybody better in this January.
“I think Daniel Sturridge is a very good player,” Barnes told ESPN. “January is not a good time to sign players, so therefore I don’t think you can get better than him in January.
“Any of the top, world-class players that you want might not be available in January as they are playing in the Champions League. However, he’s young, he’s English, he’s hungry, and he has a point to prove. It’s exciting.”
Sturridge is expected to make his debut against Mansfield – permitting the game goes ahead – on Sunday.
The video below shows Sturridge during his most prolific stage of his career, a loan spell at Bolton, when used as a central forward.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-hPGs5CXdU?rel=0&w=601&h=338]
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