Liverpool have an interesting love affair with the January transfer window with mixed success over the past couple of years. The winter window has seen deals fall through with Ian Ayre failing to secure deals for Alex Teixeira and Yevhen Konoplyanka in the past. However there is not guaranteed success when they have secured their player with flop Andy Carroll signing for a club record transfer on deadline day 2011. Then there is Luis Suarez, signed on the same day and considered the best Liverpool striker of the Premier League era. But now Daniel Sturridge, recruited as a January transfer himself, is now going to be at the centre of a transfer saga.
Should he go?
Sturridge has struggled to fight his way into Klopp's Liverpool side, he missed the last game against Sunderland with a calf problem. A case of same old, same old for the England international and it looks like injuries are going to plague yet another season at Anfield. It seems abundantly clear so far that unless Sturridge adapts the way he plays Football then he will not feature in the manager's plans. Whilst technically, he is without a doubt the best finisher in the squad and one of the best strikers in the Premier League on form. But Jurgen Klopp will not sacrifice his philosophy to accommodate the needs of an unreliable striker. His abilities will certainly attract a host of suitors but unless he can prove that he can remain fit, for a full season at least, the interest for the striker will be limited.
Southampton Again?
Southampton have become somewhat of a feeder club for Liverpool in recent years with the likes of Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and Sadio Mane switching the South Coast for Merseyside in recent years; not to mention Scouser Rickie Lambert. Now Liverpool are back to continue their business with Southampton but this time they have something to gain.
Sturridge has struggled with injuries his entire career and has not been able to force his way into Jurgen Klopp's plans thus far this season. The calf injury picked up prior to the 2-0 win over Sunderland will not make his chances any better with competing striker Divock Origi scoring the opener. But now it is reported that the Birmingham-born striker will be offered to Southampton in a swap deal woth £40 million, with The Reds wanting Virgil Van Dijk and young winger Sam McQueen in return.
The Dutch defender has impressed for The Saints this season and kept free scoring Liverpool at bay when they visited St. Mary's this season and ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown thinks it will be matter of time before the centre back signs for a top club "I like the look of Van Dijk - I'm sure he will be snapped up soon". It looks like that club is going to be Liverpool with recent history between the two clubs suggesting a deal could be struck and see the defender on Merseyside. Sam McQueen seems like a sweetener to ensure that negotiations go smoothly between the two clubs, but I'm sure the young winger will jump at the chance to work under Klopp and could join the host of young talent at Anfield.
This deal will certainly benefit both clubs with Puel looking for a partner for Shane Long but the question will be whether Sturridge will agree to move to Southampton, this will be one to look out for when the transfer window opens in January.
