Liverpool should start Sturridge and Firmino together

Why Liverpool should start strikers Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino together.

Jurgen Klopp hinted recently he could start Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino together. Klopp said his strikers “can play together,” so he’s out of excuses not to pair them at the top of Liverpool’s attack.

The Reds got a first-hand glimpse of how effective Sturridge can be during Saturday’s 1-1 draw away to Chelsea in the Premier League. He came off the bench at the Bridge to rescue a point courtesy of a magnificent shot from distance:

The spectacular effort brought up a landmark for the player who joined Liverpool in 2013:

He’s been blighted by injuries for most of the time. There’s no doubt Sturridge is as effective as any striker in the game when he’s fully fit.

Reminders of his talent have been frequent already this season. As well as the beauty he scored against Chelsea, Sturridge found the net when Liverpool thrashed West Ham 4-0 in their first league game.

Sturridge was also among the goalscorers when the Reds opened their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain.

Klopp gave the 29-year-old the start against Les Parisiens. It was a sign the manager retains faith in the prolific frontman.

The next step is rolling the dice on Sturridge’s fitness by playing him more often. Starting two strikers has obvious advantages for Liverpool.

The first is how it will present a different challenge to opponents getting used to the club’s dynamic front three. Firmino, Mane and Mohamed Salah remain a terrific trio, but the pattern of their movement is no longer new.

There have been signs already this season teams are starting to crack the code of Liverpool’s deadly front three. They have nine league goals between them, but it’s still fair to say no member of this trio has truly hit his stride yet.

Salah’s form is approaching cause for concern. Last season’s Golden Boot winner was substituted in the 66th minute against Chelsea.

He’s looked far from the ruthless finisher who bossed the previous campaign, but Klopp isn’t worried about his star man, per the Daily Mail‘s Ian Ladyman: “We will have a talk about it. As long as he works like he works, I am completely fine.”

Klopp should be a little worried, though. He should be uneasy about how much attention Salah is attracting from opposing defenders.

He’s regularly being bracketed by two markers out wide. Central midfielders are even dropping deeper to block the Egypt international’s runs from outside to in.

Playing an extra striker though the middle will take a marker away from Salah. It can also give Firmino more options on the ball.

Liverpool’s No. 9, who isn’t really a No. 9 at all, is at his most effective whenever he drops off the front. Firmino drifting into a pocket of space between the midfield and forward lines while either Mane or Salah take his place in the middle, is Liverpool’s go-to rotation in attack.

Teams have gotten wise to it. Firmino is rarely followed off the front anymore. Defenses simply narrow the gaps by having full-backs tuck in to deny Mane and Salah space.

Having Sturridge in the lineup would mean another runner up top who could drag defenders out of position and create room for the wide men to get in behind.

Firmino’s role is so important because he’s assumed most of the creative burden ever since Philippe Coutinho joined Barcelona back in January.

The Reds haven’t been able to replicate Coutinho’s vision and flair from midfield. Instead, Klopp has relied on a workmanlike trio of Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum.

It’s a group energetic and tenacious enough to carry out Liverpool’s high and relentless press. The group is also one lacking intuition going forward.

Naby Keita and Fabinho arrived in the summer, but Klopp is still trusting Henderson, Milner and Wijnaldum. His faith in this trio is putting the onus on the front three to create many of their own chances.

Putting Sturridge alongside Firmino would give Liverpool another combination capable of manufacturing opportunities. Having Sturridge lead the line would give Firmino more license to drop deep and give the Reds three in midfield.

Deploying two strikers can also lend variety to Liverpool’s formation. Some version of a 4-2-4, supplemented by a frontman dropping off out of possession, would allow Klopp to play his quartet of goal-getters together.

He could also switch to a back three. This would take full advantage of the attacking instincts of full-backs Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Opting for a 3-4-3 would mean relegating a wide forward to the bench. It would help Liverpool retain attacking potency even when resting one of their main men.

The strength of the Reds’ squad is the talent in forward areas. It’s something Klopp hasn’t been afraid to embrace.

Risking playing Sturridge and Firmino together would be the ideal riff to make the league’s most dynamic attack better.