Daniel Sturridge insists he and his Liverpool pals are over the disappointment of last season, as they look to finally secure a first league title since 1990.
The Reds appeared to be on the verge of winning a 19th championship as the campaign reached its business end last term, until a 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea was followed by a remarkable evening at Selhurst Park, when they surrendered a 3-0 lead to drop two valuable points to Crystal Palace and hand the initiative to Manchester City.
Whilst finishing second, thus securing UEFA Champions League football, was a fine achievement for Brendan Rodgers and his players, there is no escaping the fact that it was a case of what might have been when they looked back over nine months. Sturridge, though, insists he and his team-mates are now over this disappointment, and are once more focussed on bringing success back to the Merseyside giants.
“We were heartbroken at the end of last season but we are refreshed this season and mentally ready for a long season, again especially with the Champions League,” said the striker. “That is something I can’t wait to play in and the players can’t wait to play in. It took a while. It is not easy to get over things like that but everyone is over that now and we look forward to the future and hopefully bringing success the club.”
The England international was on the mark again as Liverpool began the current campaign with a 2-1 home win against Southampton. Of course, he is now considered the focal point of their attack following Luis Suarez’s £75million move to Barcelona, but Rodgers has revealed that he still hopes to sign another striker before the window closes.
“I do still think we need another striker,” confirmed the former Swansea City coach. “It is something that we will look at but that will depend on the availability of one. Sunday afternoon was about winning and we got there. So we will search for that through to the end of the window but you see the players, the quality that we have.”
Earlier this summer the Reds had agreed a deal to take France international Loic Remy from Queens Park Rangers, but pulled the plug on the transfer due to concerns over his medical. In more recent weeks they have been linked with ambitious swoops for Monaco’s Radamel Falcao and Paris St Germain ace Edinson Cavani, but it would have to be considered as the deal of the summer if Rodgers can land either of these in the coming days.
