Daniel Sturridge scored two goals for Liverpool against Tottenham Hotspur in a game at Anfield to send the Reds to the quarter-final of the English Football League Cup.
Jurgen Klopp rested most of his starters and sent out a mixed team to face a second-string Spurs side and Liverpool ran out 2-1 victors thanks to two goals from under-fire forward Daniel Sturridge. The Englishman has been criticised for his inability to seamlessly adapt to Klopp’s playing style but he showed last night that he is capable of delivering if given centre stage.
While Tottenham may have fielded a team which is a far cry from the sort of side that you’d see in a Premier League game, Mauricio Pochetino’s trademark work ethic was still visible and the Argentinan’s side made Liverpool work for the victory.
The most pleasing aspect of the game, and it will be highlighted by most every news outlet, was how confident and comfortable Sturridge looked. After several weeks of speculation that he isn’t happy at Liverpool and tenuous links with Arsenal and Spurs, the former Chelsea forward proved once again that he has what it takes to play for Liverpool and that he is enjoying himself.
His first goal was very much an opportunistic jab and the bread and butter of any top forward but his second was a superbly timed run and he did well not to crack under the pressure of being one-on-one with Michel Vorm.
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Liverpool will progress to the quarter-final of the EFL Cup, a tournament that saw Manchester City beat the Reds last season on penalties in the final and one that Klopp has vowed that he is aiming to win this season.
With nothing but domestic tournaments to focus on, Klopp will be confident of being able to compete seriously in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and the Premier League. It seems as though not having European football this season is a blessing in disguise.
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