Liverpool’s progress since Klopp’s appointment less than two months ago has been significant and dramatic, but with Sturridge perhaps the key component in their pursuit of a first major trophy since 2012 and a top-four finish in the Premier League, the striker’s goals will likely have encouraged his manager more than anything else he has so far seen.
Advertisement
Origi scored his first Liverpool goals with a hat-trick in the 6-1 win over Southampton in the League Cup.
On the returning Sturridge, he added: “I still think only Aguero is better [as a striker] in the Premier League”.
Despite watching his team improve significantly in the striker’s absence before Wednesday, Klopp revealed Sturridge’s performance made him understand why he was the subject of such regular attention and debate.
“I knew about his quality, but I never saw it live in a stadium, in an important tournament, but the rest I knew about”.
“First, about the competition we like to reach the semi-final, and, second, after the two defeats the best way to get back full of confidence is winning”. I don’t know. You have known him longer than me. But we know we have to beat Liverpool first and they are doing well.
Where Liverpool were ponderous and fragile in the season’s early weeks, their play now crackles with energy and invention.
“It was a good decision”, Klopp said of selecting him.
Boyhood Evertonian, and former City defender, Michael Ball said on Twitter it may be a tough ask for the blue half of Merseyside to make it to Wembley.
Lallana paid tribute to manager Jurgen Klopp for Liverpool’s form over recent weeks, with the Southampton win coming less than a fortnight after Manchester City were beaten in similarly devastating fashion. Liverpool fell to eventual winners Chelsea in last season’s semi-finals, but with belief now coursing through the team again, their fans’ thoughts will already be turning to the final on February 28.
Jamie Redknapp believes that it’s a statement of intent from Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp whenever he brings young players on from the bench, as reported by Sky Sports.
Advertisement
Assessing the first goal, he explained how they “showed it to the players at half-time” and insisted they can not afford to “start like this” because otherwise you require “too much luck” to “come back in the game”. Very complete, defensively strong, good movement, and they killed the game with high quality, but too easy in my opinion.
