Skipper thinks striker needs to sort fitness issues to fire for England.Check in to Swansea City vs Liverpool
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has challenged striker Daniel Sturridge to sort out his fitness issues to start firing for both club and country, the Express reports.
Gerrard told his clubmate that the whole country is waiting to see him fire and admitted that “the stage was set” for him to become a national hero ahead of England’s World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine last week.
Unfortunately Sturridge was forced to miss both encounters with a thigh injury and has been struggling lately with ankle ligament damage sustained during his international debut against the Republic of Ireland in May.
Though he is set to return to action with Liverpool this weekend ahead of their Premier League encounter with Swansea City, Gerrard has waded into the debate by saying that it is now time for him to step up his game and become a real national hero.
“It’s down to Daniel to get himself fit and available. The manager has picked him quite a few times now and he hasn’t been available. Everyone is waiting,” he said.
“The stage is set for Daniel, who is in terrific form. He needs to get himself fit, but don’t forget Wayne Rooney, either.”
Liverpool could also welcome Glenn Johnson back in to the fold sooner than expected as he is set to miss out for the next six weeks following a sprained ankle in training.