Liverpool

David Fairclough: 'Daniel Sturridge must fight for place in Liverpool XI'

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 09 September 2015

Liverpool legend David Fairclough tells Daniel Sturridge to gear up for a fight if he wants to win his place back in the Reds' first XI.

Liverpool legend David Fairclough has warned Daniel Sturridge that he faces a fight to reclaim his spot in the Reds' first XI following an injury-ravaged 12 months.

The 26-year-old is nearing a return to full fitness after undergoing hip surgery in April, having only started seven Premier League games last season.

The England international will be coming back into a new-look Liverpool attack following the signings of Christian Benteke, Danny Ings and Roberto Firmino.

"He can't take anything for granted and think that he's just going to walk in and be the main man again - he's got competition now," Fairclough told Soccerex.

"Hopefully that goes a way to helping Daniel Sturridge be the player that he can be.

"I think he took his foot off the gas a little bit last season, I know he had injury problems but I don't think he really got up to full pelt, full speed, so I'd like to see him get a full base of fitness so he can show us the player that he is."

Sturridge netted 21 league goals in the 2013-14 campaign as Liverpool finished second by a point.