Sturridge Couldn’t Be Risked
Daniel Sturridge missed England’s World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine with a thigh problem sustained in Liverpool’s win over Manchester United but he could be fit for Liverpool’s trip to Swansea on Monday night after returning to training on Friday.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed claims that Sturridge took the easy option to miss England’s matches by claiming that it was the FA doctors who made the decision on his fitness.
Rodgers stated that “Daniel was disappointed to miss England,” and said “medical experts made the decision. They deemed him not fit enough.” Rodgers also highlighted the fact that with Liverpool’s match not being played until Monday night has given Sturridge a better chance of being fit.
Sturridge and Rodgers should not be questioned regarding his absence from England’s matches because he made it clear that he had played against Manchester United while struggling with an injury and his injury should not be risked by playing for England.
People seem to forget that it was while playing for England at the end of last season that he picked up an injury which prevented him from taking part in most of Liverpool’s pre-season. Sturridge only appeared for 45 minutes against Celtic in Liverpool’s final pre-season game before Liverpool’s season started.
Sturridge has played in Liverpool’s first three league games of the season and is still playing catch up regarding his fitness after being injured for most of the summer. Liverpool have to protect their player from further injury after just coming back to fitness.
It is true what Rodgers says that with Liverpool playing on the Monday gives Sturridge more time to recover from his injury. Sturridge reported for England duty and he was assessed by England’s doctors so to question his commitment to his country is a joke.
There are times when it does look very suspicious when players pull out of international games only to be fit the following Saturday for their club’s fixture, but it is ridiculous to question Sturridge.
England will reap the rewards of an improving Sturridge in the coming months and years, but to possibly cause further injury to him when he is carrying an injury would have stupid. The English FA realised this and made the right decision but there is always some people out there who want to question a player’s commitment.
The Kopite View 
I don’t even think he sustained the injury against United. He picked up a knock against Notts County, which is why he was quiet against United (apart from the header, obviously !!!).
He’s had an extra 6 days to recover, so it’s wrong for people to take cheap shots at him for missing Ingerland’s game.
Mate if i were rodgers i’dve rested both Gerrard and sturridge and deploy these approaches. 4231, 3421 and 352. 1. Kelly Agger Skrtel Enrique, Sakho Lucas, Hendo Coutinho Moses, Aspas. Or risk stev . Skrtel Sakho Agger, Lucas Hendo Gerrard Coutinho, Moses Enrique, Aspas. Or SkrtelAggerSakho, LucasHendoGerrardCoutinhoEnrique,MosesAspas. ‘Gk’ MIGNOLET!
what I like is that Rodgers has options and you have highlighted them well, thanks mate.