re: Liverpool FC 2012/13 Season Long Thread

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“Daniel’s best position is as a central striker,” Rodgers said. “I have said 4-3-3 will become richer because of the type of players. There is not one way to play 4-3-3. You can play one up, a floating No 9 like Luis Suárez and two wingers. You can play one like Daniel Sturridge central, two in and around him narrow, with full backs bombing on.

“The principles of your game are based on your players. I think for Daniel, his best position will be straight through the middle with his pace. I spoke with Luis at length about this a number of times.

“This has been in the plan for a few months. When he played at Ajax he played in behind as a No 10 in between the lines, and he played as a reverse winger from the left side so he wasn’t quite out wide, he was tucked in round the corner.

“Wherever he plays, he will make the same movements and he will find the space because he is a world-class player. It is not a problem having top players. Don’t talk about problems with players, we need good players.”

“There is always a risk and doubts about any player,” Rodgers said. “I have spoken to enough people who have worked with Daniel, and you always have to do your homework. You are never going to be 100 per cent sure they will succeed, but over time you have that bit of thinking time to look around and see how they are going to fit in, and then when you meet the player and take it from his own side.

“You need to look in the player’s eyes and see if they have that hunger, and he is coming off the back of being at a big club but one where he hasn’t played and he is coming here with everything to prove.”

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