Daniel Sturridge is harmless, who can blame him now?

(Baonghean.vn) - Liverpool could not successfully make a comeback against Southampton in the second leg of the English League Cup semi-final despite dominating the game with many good chances created. The inability to turn opportunities into goals forced the Anfield team to give up the ticket to play the final match to Claude Puel's team. One of the "sinners" of The Kop in this match was none other than Daniel Sturridge.

In the rare time he was able to play in the starting lineup of Liverpool's attack, the striker born in 1989 had a rather disappointing performance, contributing to the home team's bitter 0-1 defeat against the visitors from the city of Southampton. Playing in his favorite position - striker in the 4-3-3 tactical formation, all Daniel Sturridge could do was waste the delicious opportunities that his teammates brought him.

Over 90 minutes at Anfield, the former MC and Chelsea player had no less than 3 favorable situations in front of goalkeeper Fraser Forster's goal.

Shane Long's (black shirt) only goal eliminated Liverpool from the English League Cup. Photo: Internet.

The most notable example of the Liverpool striker's lack of luck in this match was the two great missed opportunities in the middle of the second half. The first situation was a shot into the sky in an open position, right next to the 5m50 line after Emre Can's pass attempt in the 59th minute. The next situation was just 4 minutes before, from a precise cross from his teammate on the left wing, in front of Daniel Sturridge was only goalkeeper Fraser Forster, but the English striker sent the ball over the crossbar, much to the regret of the spectators at Anfield.

In the overwhelming situation created, if Daniel Sturridge had successfully taken advantage of his opportunity, Liverpool might not have had to accept such a bitter ending.

The 27-year-old striker's poor performance in the last match will make his chances of playing in the Kop's starting lineup, which was already small, even smaller. The excuse for his poor performance due to having to play in a position that is not Daniel Sturridge's forte, is no longer convincing to experts and fans.

Even the legendary Carragher was disappointed after his junior's performance: "In this match, I felt Liverpool played with a handicap when Sturridge was on the field. He needs to improve a lot if he wants to be a starter under Klopp."

Recently, witnessing the decline in Daniel Sturridge's form, many people believe that the reason comes from the way coach Jurgen Klopp uses him. Indeed, since the German strategist took over the port city team, Daniel Sturridge has also lost the danger of a top assassin. In addition to the constant injuries that have reduced his playing opportunities, not often playing in his favorite position as a striker has also dulled the England international's ability to score goals.

Therefore, the 27-year-old player had to endure the "cold shoulder" of coach Jurgen Klopp and accepted to sit on the bench to make way for younger teammates like Firmino and Origi.

Daniel Sturridge's dissatisfaction with his former Dortmund coach reached its peak right after his team's victory over Burton in the second round of the English League Cup. At the end of the match, the striker said: "I am a player who plays football based on instinct. When I play in the center, I can fully develop my ability."

Of course, with a coach with a personality like Jurgen Klopp, Daniel Sturridge's words could not shake him. Immediately, the Liverpool captain responded strongly: "A player cannot just stand at the top and wait for the ball to come. Everyone has to participate in the game, that's how modern football works."

Daniel Sturridge is showing very disappointing performance under coach Klopp. Photo: Internet.

Daniel Sturridge and his fans have reason to complain, coach Jurgen Klopp also has a basis to maintain his personal opinion. Instead of complaining, the English striker should have focused on training to adapt to the tactics set by the head coach. Unfortunately, Daniel Sturridge could not do that. Every time he had the chance to show off, the player wearing the number 15 shirt regrettably missed it.

With only 2 goals in the Premier League so far, it is enough to understand how poor Daniel Sturridge is. Not only is he harmless in finding the opponent's net, but Daniel Sturridge's contribution to the overall play is also very weak. Watching the striker born in 1989 play, it is clear that he is out of place in the Liverpool system.

Surely at this moment, Daniel Sturridge is thinking about his not-so-bright future at Anfield in the near future. But who can blame now, when he himself is the one at fault.

Thanh Hung