Liverpool FC released a statement today which revealed an extended absence for star striker Daniel Sturridge. A man who scored twenty-one goals last season, Sturridge has been missed terribly by a Liverpool squad which has managed a mere fourteen goals this term. Sturridge first missed three weeks with a thigh injury, before suffering a calf strain that kept him out another four weeks. This thigh injury brings about his third injury of the season.
In his absence, fellow strikers Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert, and Fabio Borini have all failed to score a Premier League goal. With Liverpool’s strike force needing an injection of accuracy and clinical skill, the options are not obvious.
As stated in an earlier article, Mario Balotelli has produced some respectable displays. However, he has also been rather invisible without a strike partner, as he isn’t blessed with the pace or intelligence to make penetrating runs inside the box. The result? Liverpool have no threat in the box. The reason the return of Daniel Sturridge could have been a turning point for the entire team’s season is due to the fact that he would bring that movement and intelligence into a team lacking it. Throw in Sturridge’s finishing, and you’ve got a combination of danger inside the box (Sturridge) and outside the box (Balotelli) for oppositions; a combination which would have boded well for both of the strikers.
With Sturridge’s latest lay-off, it is obvious: Liverpool are in deep trouble and have to find a solution to have a greater presence in the final third. The transfer window is shut and the solution has to come from within. Perhaps the temporary answer lies in Fabio Borini.
Borini is not a bona-fide scorer, at least not yet. He isn’t the most polished player either. What he will do is run through the wall for his team, and he does provide some skill in his play as well. The display of chemistry was already visible when Borini assisted Mario Balotelli’s goal against Swansea City in the League Cup. Liverpool desperately need a striker with pace to move behind defensive lines, and Rickie Lambert will definitely not provide any pace or movement. Balotelli has the ability and strength to create chances outside the box or to be an aerial threat, but a deep threat is required as well to allow him more space as well. Therefore, Fabio Borini is the only option.
In an attack which has lacked any sort of cohesion, maybe a pair of Italians would work. It’s definitely Liverpool’s only hope until the transfer window re-opens.
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