Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge believes that The Reds must be ready for a tough Champions League final with Spurs and that all squad members must be ‘mentally’ ready if needed.
Sturridge was speaking to Liverpoolfc.com during The Reds’ Marbella training camp on Thursday. The former Chelsea player scored in Liverpool’s first European final under Jurgen Klopp in 2016 – a game Sevilla would go on to win 3-1.
However, Sturridge recognises the need to be ready if called-upon again by Klopp and to be prepared to ‘make a difference’.
“To be successful you need to use the squad, everyone has a role to play.
“If you look over the years at finals that have been played, there have been players who have hardly played any games that have scored goals or won tournaments for their countries or won finals for their teams, players who aren’t on the pitch who come on and make a difference as well.
“So it’s important for everybody to be tuned in to everything that’s needed for the team to be successful next week.”
Sturridge also spoke about the progress the club has made under Klopp since his arrival in October 2015.
“It has improved a lot. But the main thing everybody wants is success and trophies.
“I feel we need to take the next step and push to the next level. Winning a trophy – which is the biggest hurdle – allows you to win a lot more because you know how to win. That’s the thing we’re lacking at the moment, jumping over that last hurdle to provide the first trophy under the manager.”
Speaking from experience, Sturridge also mentioned the ‘fine margins’ involved in any outcome from a final.
“I’ve been involved in finals with Liverpool and Chelsea as well. With Chelsea, when we won things it was very fine margins and it’s the same when you lose.
“There aren’t many finals where a team completely dominates the game and overruns the other team, it’s very rare you find that.
“It’s all about those small margins and trying to overcome adversities; the other team will have a lot more play than you sometimes and it’s just about defending as a unit, and when you get your chances to take them as well. It’s always like that in finals and I don’t think it will change.”
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