Responding to manager Jurgen Klopp’s subtle suggestions that he needed to consider playing even if not 100 per cent fit, the striker demonstrated masterful finishing ability with two elegant goals to put his team in control after Sadio Mane had headed Southampton into a first-minute lead.
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Liverpool were paired with Stoke City in the Capital One Cup semi-finals, and should they get past the Potters, they will face either Manchester City or Merseyside rivals Everton at Wembley in the final.
Divock Origi, just 20 years of age, also starred with a stunning hat-trick, the other goal coming from substitute Jordan Ibe who had entered the fray for a tiring Sturridge on the hour.
It is a stat that will not have gone unnoticed by England manager Roy Hodgson as he weighs up his options ahead of next summer’s Euro 2016 tournament. “We scored ourselves some nice goals”.
“I said to him after the game, ‘Now I know what everyone is talking about, ‘” the German said. We all want to fight for Liverpool and fight for the team.
When quizzed about his confidence regarding Sturridge’s ability to regain his career best form of 2013-14, Klopp said, “How should I know?”
The former Borussia Dortmund gaffer also praised Divock Origi, who scored a hat-trick in their demolition of the Saints.
And Daniel Sturridge and Co are now certain to look just as good when they arrive at Anfield after showing off their fashionable formal wear in a new photoshoot. It’s important for us that we have these good strikers that can react in the moments.
Origi then clattered in an emphatic second via the underside of the crossbar midway though the second half, before he completed his treble with a header late on. “As you could see we have no problem with matches against Manchester City, but we got Stoke”. How should I know?
“(It was) great play by Liverpool”, he said.
Injury-prone Sturridge marked his first start since Oct 4 with a quick-fire brace in the space of four first-half minutes.
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“The style of Southampton tonight was very, very clear – long balls with [Graziano] Pelle fighting for them – and in the first 10 minutes they were better and getting the second balls”.
