Failed West Brom loan spell made Sturridge realise how good he's got it at Liverpool

By Sam Preston

Daniel Sturridge has always been the perfect backup option for Liverpool; but the English striker’s self-belief didn’t allow him to accept playing second fiddle to anybody.

Despite the absence of discernible, viable Premier League suitors where he could start week-in, week-out, Sturridge seemed intent on proving himself as top man somewhere once again; ignoring his inability to stay fit or play through pain.

So in January, he went on loan to West Brom. He elected to return to the West Midlands where he grew up, shunning perhaps his best chance of top flight redemption at Newcastle; a club so desperate for goals, excitement and a number 9 to idolise that they’d have adored Sturridge from the off.

(Photo by Kieran Galvin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The move was a total failure; Sturridge was barely fit and failed to prevent Alan Pardew’s shambolic side dropping into the Championship.

So he returned to Liverpool with a fresh perspectiv. Realising how good he had it at Anfield and going into the final year of his contract, he got fit, put up with his role in the squad and set about scoring goals when given the chance.

He is reportedly set to be rewarded with an extended £140,000-a-week deal. Seeing how the other half live and how quickly the landscape of football can change forced Sturridge to revive his Liverpool career.

Like Luke Shaw at Manchester United, a couple of months fit and firing have earned prolonged security – but that’s a gripe for another day…