Is Daniel Sturridge back?

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge was given a surprise start in the Champions League and rewarded his manager’s faith with a goal in Liverpool’s 3-2 win.

Daniel Sturridge is one of soccer’s most tantalizing figures. On Tuesday, Sturridge was called up to the starting lineup to fill in for Roberto Firmino. The England international delivered with a goal and a sharp performance to pace Liverpool to a 3-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain.

Manager Jurgen Klopp selected Sturridge to lead the line Tuesday, as Firmino wasn’t fit to start with an eye injury. Many Liverpool fans and pundits across the media met the move with skepticism.

Sturridge has only played a handful of minutes to start the campaign. In addition, at this point in his career, he no longer has the intensity to lead the Liverpool press the way Firmino does. How silly that criticism seems today. Sturridge turned in an excellent performance for the Reds, netting a goal and nearly scoring another to get the Champions League season rolling at Anfield.

Tuesday was the first Champions League start of Sturridge’s Liverpool career. He made a few appearances last season, scoring against Spartak Moscow, but this was easily the biggest test of his European credentials. And he delivered on all fronts. His pressing was acceptable, he offered an outlet through the middle and replicated Firmino’s movement across the forward line, interchanging nicely with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool were all over PSG right from the kickoff and looked threatening throughout the opening 10 minutes before finally opening the scoring. Sturridge’s ability in the air offered a nice target for Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, both of whom delivered countless crosses into the area.

Sturridge, now 29, was once one of the best forwards in England. His partnership with Luis Suarez nearly powered Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2014. He made three appearances for the Three Lions at the 2014 World Cup, bagging a goal as well. Injuries have robbed Sturridge the better part of the last four seasons, costing Liverpool the services of one of the England’s most talented strikers.

There have been flashes of the old Sturridge before. His performance down the stretch of the 2016 Europa League, including his sublime trivela in the final, comes to mind. He was pivotal in securing Liverpool’s top four finish in the 2016-17 season as well. But these moments have come in fits and starts.

Each and every time it looks like Sturridge is becoming a regular member of the first team again, he inevitably picks up a hamstring strain or a hip injury. The situation looked dire at Liverpool. The club needed someone more reliable as a back-up to Firmino, so Sturridge was loaned out to West Brom in January, with the promise he was to be sold in the summer. A permanent move never materialized, most likely due to the high wages he’s earning.

If, and it is a massive if, Sturridge can remain fit for large portions of the season, Klopp is handed a boost to the forward line. Sturridge’s pure striking ability gives Liverpool a different option than Firmino’s gifts as a false 9. Liverpool are keen on trying for silverware across four competitions this season.

With their high-intensity style, the depth of the squad is sure to be tested. Sturridge can be deployed as a super-sub and as a more-than-qualified replacement forward. If yesterday’s performance was a harbinger of what’s to come, look for Sturridge to continue with his trademark dance for the rest of the season.