Every time you get to see the names of Southampton and Liverpool in a transfer news, you would probably start thinking that Liverpool are once again plotting a raid on the south Coast club. Well, since Liverpool have signed as many as five players from the Saints in the last three summer transfer windows, one has every reason to presume that but this time, the rumour is something unusual.
As per Express Sport, Southampton are now plotting raid on Liverpool this time. The report claims that the Saints want to take Liverpool misfit Daniel Sturridge on loan in January with a view to a possible £25 million summer move.
Well, it is public knowledge that Sturridge is not particularly happy at Anfield right now with the time he is getting on the pitch and the English international has every reason for his discontentment given the quality he has in his locker.
So, how will Sturridge fit in the Southampton lineup? Well, the Englishman is clearly superior to any of the current Southampton forwards Charlie Austin, Shane Long and Jay Rodriguez. If the Saints stick to their current 4-3-3 setup, Sturridge will easily make the sole striker position his own as long as he stays fit. However, with Sturridge in the side, Puel can switch to his favoured 4-4-2 diamond formation.
Many consider Sturridge as a selfish player and to some extent that is correct. But the Englishman formed one of the deadliest striking partnerships in the Premier League history that scored 52 goals in a season between themselves despite both missing a handful of games with suspension and injury.
Suarez and Sturridge, known as ‘SAS’ tore apart each and every defence in the League in the 2013-14 season. So, Puel can consider switching back to his favoured 4-4-2 diamond formation if he manages to bring the former Chelsea forward at St. Mary’s.
Charlie Austin has been in a decent run of form in front of the goal this season but the likes of Long and Rodriguez have struggled so far. Sturridge could be an excellent strike partner for Austin up front. He has pace and Austin is blessed with a brilliant positioning and aerial ability and the two working in sync could bring big success.
Southampton have been a quite compact side defensively this season under Puel so far but have struggled for goals as a unit. Sturridge can be the solution to their goalscoring woes on his own. This move makes big sense for both parties. Sturridge needs a club where he gets regular playing time and Southampton need a deadly finisher like him to keep up their rise as a Premier League force.
