Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he won’t treat Daniel Sturridge like an orange and squeeze every last drop of playing time out of the striker.
According to Transfermarkt, Sturridge has missed 74 games since the beginning of the 13/14 season, an average of almost 25 games a season, making him on of the most injury prone players in the Premier League.
As such, Klopp knows that Sturridge must not overexert himself or be forced to do so. Klopp said as much to the Liverpool Echo in the run up to Liverpool’s derby against Everton, and he did so in . . . colorful terms.
"If you think Daniel Sturridge can play from the first to the last minute in the last nine games, fine," Klopp told Liverpool Echo.
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"Yes, he is in brilliant shape. I know it. The best thing for us, for him and for England for the European Championships is to keep him in the best shape since I have been here.”
“Now we can say 'Oh my God, Daniel is back, let's push him through all these games!' Yeah?”
"If you think that is right, write it. If not, don't ask me anymore. We will do what we think.”
"But still, after this long period, you cannot use him as an orange and take each little bit of the juice."
Leave it to Klopp of round out a serious point with a fruit metaphor.
That entire segment of Klopp's interview with the Echo has the affect of diverting attention and pressure away from Sturridge. Klopp says it is the best thing for Liverpool, the best thing for England, and the best thing for Daniel to have him make a cautious comeback, and by the end of it is very hard not to agree with him.
And while hindsight is always 20/20, Klopp's method seems to have worked out on the pitch. Daniel Sturridge was subbed on against Everton in the 54th minute and went on to score a goal.
Sturridge has long shown he has the ability to be a world-class player. He just needs to stay healthy in order to fulfill his potential.
He’s in good hands with Klopp.
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