'Why Sturridge is vital for England at Euro 2016'
Daniel Sturridge can have a major impact for England at Euro 2016, according to former Reds striker Neil Mellor.
With the likes of Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Wayne Rooney and Marcus Rashford available in attack, the Liverpool forward faces a battle to claim a place in the starting XI for the Three Lions’ opening fixture against Russia in Marseille on Saturday night.
Sturridge is one of five Reds in Roy Hodgson’s squad, alongside captain Jordan Henderson, Nathaniel Clyne, James Milner and Adam Lallana, and Mellor insists the 26-year-old will be a key figure during the tournament.
“I see Sturridge as a player who is capable of scoring goals and I do think that is where England are blessed a bit with the current squad,” Mellor told Liverpoolfc.com.
“There’s plenty of players capable of scoring goals [with] Kane and Vardy the top scorers in the Barclays Premier League last season, and also Rashford who burst onto the scene late.
“It was good to see Sturridge end the season fully fit. He scored a truly special goal in the Europa League final in Basel and I think that will give him confidence going into the tournament.
“Perhaps he probably won’t start the first game but he is a man who believes in his own ability, and when he is fit given an opportunity Sturridge will be a goal threat.”
Mellor pointed to the match-winning capabilities of Sturridge as something that make him an importantasset for Hodgson.
And, with the Reds No.15 having had experience of tournament football with the Three Lions during the World Cup, Mellor believes he is ready to make a significant impact.
He added: “He can make a difference and I believe he will make a difference. Make no mistake come the end of the tournament he may well be the main striker for England.
“Having experienced tournament football for England in the World Cup and also scored in it would have helped him.
“Unfortunately for Daniel he did have his injury problems at the start of last season, but after Christmas Liverpool scored a lot more goals and having Sturridge back on the pitch helped that.
“A fully fit Sturridge can score a lot of goals and he is a big asset to any side.”
Another Kop star hoping to impress during the tournament is Lallana.
Mellor is certain the forward is capable of being a regular for the Three Lions and labelled him a ‘striker’s dream to play alongside’.
He added: “I think Adam is a very intelligent player and I also think he is very under-rated with the job he does for the team.
“I see Hodgson as somebody who likes him. This is a player who is capable of playing out wide and also central as well.
“He is also somebody that can create opportunities. You look at the striking options England have and they would all see Lallana as a creative influence within that squad.
“As a centre-forward you would always want a player like Lallana in your team because of the creative influence he can have.”
Liverpool have 12 players on duty during Euro 2012 and Mellor insisted it is something for the club to be proud of.
“It’s good for Liverpool to have so many players involved at the tournament and we have the most out of all the Premier League clubs,” he said.
“The only concern you have when they go away with their country is you want them to come back fit, but you also want them to represent themselves and show the real quality that they do have.”