Why Liverpool ace must not be overlooked as 2016/17 top scorer
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His calves and hamstrings may be 70 per cent lettuce, but if his precious physique can be preserved for an entire campaign (or even most of it) then Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge offers fantastic value as the Premier League’s top scorer in 2016/17.
We make Sturridge a 20/1 shot to succeed Harry Kane as the top-flight’s most prolific next season, not forgetting we pay out on the top four places at a quarter of the odds.
That’s the same price as Chelsea new boy Michy Batshuayi. Ok, Sturridge has become the source of ridicule in recent times given his woeful injury record – he has only made 69 Premier League appearances in three-and-a-half seasons at Anfield – but when he is fit, the numbers are insane.
Unlike 22-year-old Batshuayi who is yet to kick a Premier League ball in anger, Studger’s conversion rate in England’s top tier is a goal every 1.6 games since slipping on a Liverpool jersey .
Hypothetically, that’s a guaranteed 20-goal return over a 38-game season. Don’t snigger.
Availability remains the humongous IF, but the 2013/14 campaign on Merseyside shows what could happen in 2015/16 should the England striker’s limbs hold firm.
As Liverpool went dangerously close to a maiden Premier League title, their number 15 was a chief reason alongside striker partner Luis Suarez.
Sturridge bagged himself 21 in only 29 appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ swashbucklers to finish runner-up to his Uruguayan teammate in the overall standings. Of course, that was for a different Liverpool team and a different manager.
However, once he had finally proved to Jurgen Klopp that he was fit for purpose last season, another eight league goals followed in 14 outings and 13 in 25 all-competition appearances.
It’s probably wise to see if he survives pre-season before making a wager, but if Liverpool’s prolific frontman emerges unscathed for Klopp’s new-look side, there’s more than enough logic in the gamble.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
