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Welcome to ESPN FC's #PremRank.
ESPN FC is counting down the top 50 players in the Premier League right now, as voted for by various columnists, editors and analysts. Who makes the cut? Disagree with our list? Tell us on Twitter using the hashtag #PremRank.
Why Daniel Sturridge makes the list
After he scored 21 goals in just 26 Premier League appearances last season, Liverpool had high hopes that Sturridge would be the striker to offer them a cutting edge following the departure of Luis Suarez last summer, yet that plan ran into trouble just three games into the season.
Sturridge's fitness record has been less than impressive throughout his career and once again, he spent large portions of this campaign in the treatment room with thigh, hamstring and hip problems. The last of those ended his season, as he had surgery to correct the problem in the United States.
There was some controversy over his first injury of this season, as it was sustained while he was on international duty with England, with his manager Brendan Rodgers less than satisfied with the way he was handled by the national team in preparing for a Euro 2016 qualifier last September. While Sturridge has shown flashes of brilliance in his fleeting appearances for Liverpool this season, this is a campaign he will want to forget quickly.
- Kevin Palmer
The stats that tell the story
- He played only 12 Premier League games this season, but his scoring rate of a goal every 201 minutes is by far the best on Liverpool. Steven Gerrard is second best at a goal every 266 minutes.
- His 36 goals in his first 50 games in all competitions for Liverpool were the most by any Liverpool player since George Allan had 41 in the 1890s.
What the experts say
"When he is in that area of the pitch he has shown he is lethal and it was a great first touch and then he has great power off both sides and it was a wonderful finish. I am delighted for him." - Brendan Rodgers
"That task now lies with Sturridge but he will ultimately need a good partner to assist him. Playing almost on his own against Southampton there was quite a lot of aimless running and fruitless harrying of defenders. For a player with his fitness record, his importance to the team and a season of extra European and international matches still to come, it did not bode well." -- Steven Kelly, August 2014.