Saturday, January 05, 2013

Rodgers Hints At Central Role For Sturridge

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has hinted heavily that Daniel Sturridge could be set to play in a central position with his new club, and that Luis Suarez could be asked to perform a different role as a result.

Sturridge was unveiled as a Liverpool player on Wednesday after holding talks with the club throughout December.

Meanwhile, Luis Suarez has enjoyed a successful season to date as the Reds' frontman, with his 15 Premier League goals this season placing him behind only Robin van Persie in the Premier League scoring charts.

However, the Guardian quotes Rodgers as saying he would be prepared to move Suarez out wide: "For the common good of the team."

The former Swansea and Reading boss went on to deny suggestions that the transfer could have an adverse effect on Suarez's form.

"That is not the case at all," said the 39-year-old. "It is not a problem having top players. Don't talk about problems with players. We need good players.

"I spoke with Luis at length on it a number of times. This has been in the plan for a few months.

"When he played at Ajax he played in behind as a number 10, in between the lines, and he played as a reverse winger from the left side so he wasn't quite out wide - he was tucked in round the corner.

"Wherever he plays he will make the same movements and he will find the space because he is a world class player.

"Daniel's best position is as a central striker," he continued. "I have said that 4-3-3 will become richer because of the type of players. There is not one way to play 4-3-3.

"You can have one up and two wingers, a floating nine like Luis Suarez, you can have one like Daniel Sturridge central, two in around him narrow with full backs bombing on.

"I think for Daniel his best position will be straight through the middle with his pace," he added.

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