Sturridge has his mojo back as Reds cruise to victory

The last time that Daniel Sturridge had another Liverpool striker driving him on he produced the finest spell of a stop-start career.

In the title challenging campaign of 2013-14 it was Luis Suarez he was jostling for position with as the England international plundered 24 goals and established himself as one of Europe's most lethal marksmen.

Two years on it's the exciting emergence of Divock Origi which has coincided with Sturridge getting his mojo back.

Sturridge's response to Origi being picked to start both legs of the Europa League quarter-final with Borussia Dortmund ahead of him has been emphatic.

Outstanding in the rout of Stoke, he followed that up by coming off the bench to make a telling contribution in the miraculous fightback against Dortmund.

If what transpired at Anfield on Thursday night was a truly momentous team effort, there was no doubt who was the star of the show at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Sturridge lit up what for most of a lifeless first half was a classic case of after the Lord Mayor's show.

He provided the injection of class required to ensure that momentum was maintained on the back of the club's European heroics.

It was his improvised backheel which led to Roberto Firmino tucking away his 10 goal of the season after Artur Boruc had parried.

Sturridge then wrapped up the points on the stroke of half-time with a towering header and caused Bournemouth's backline so many problems that in truth he should have walked away clutching the matchball.

The sight of him trying his luck from inside his own half underlined the confidence of a man back to operating at the peak of his powers.

He looks fitter than at any point in the past two years and clearly isn't content to play second fiddle to anyone.

Sturridge will be looking to score his 50th goal for the Reds in Wednesday night's Merseyside derby at Anfield. Considering he's only made 86 appearances, that's some strike-rate.

It's an embarrassment of riches for Jurgen Klopp as he ponders how best to utilise the talents of Origi, Sturridge and Firmino against Everton.

The Reds may have left it too late to force their into the frame for a top-four finish but it's no wonder that Kopites believe that European glory is within their reach when you consider the attacking armoury they now boast.

That potency is coupled with an organisation and a spirit which has enabled Klopp's Liverpool to finally achieve some consistency.

Since the second-half debacle at Southampton a month ago, they have drawn with title-chasing Tottenham, stunned Borussia Dortmund and swept Stoke and Bournemouth aside.

Despite Klopp making 10 changes, they were rarely troubled by a Cherries side already thinking about the beach having retained their top-flight status.

Sturridge aside, there were plenty of other positives to occupy Klopp's thoughts during the short flight home from Dorset.

Joe Allen maintained his outstanding form with another tireless display in the middle of the park.

Time and time again the Welshman sensed danger, broke up play and put Liverpool back on the front foot.

Having been rocked by the loss of both Jordan Henderson and Emre Can to injury, there is a big responsibility on Allen's shoulders during the run-in.

But he's clearly relishing the opportunity after a season of frustration and this was another eye-catching shift.

This was also a big afternoon for keeper Danny Ward, who shone on his long-awaited Reds debut. It was the chance he had craved since he was recalled from a successful loan spell at Aberdeen in January.

Josh King's stoppage-time consolation denied him a clean sheet but the 22-year-old could hold his head high.

There was no sign of nerves as he commanded his penalty box and pulled off a couple of fine saves.

Simon Mignolet, who was rested, will inevitably return to face Everton but Ward has served notice that Liverpool have genuine competition for that jersey.

There were contrasting fortunes for the other rookies.

Connor Randall, who was preferred to Jon Flanagan at right-back, was rock-solid on his Premier League bow.

Fellow Academy graduate Brad Smith, who made his first league start on the other flank, endured a more difficult afternoon.

The same went for Kevin Stewart, who wasn't able to hit the heights he reached against Stoke seven days earlier.

Sheyi Ojo once again produced flashes of his exciting talent.

The teenage winger is raw but the potential is clearly there for Klopp to mould into something special.

One lovely piece of skill from Ojo left Charlie Daniels and Max Gradel bewitched before his low drive was blocked.

Jordon Ibe was another who made a welcome step forward.

It's been an underwhelming campaign for the 20-year-old, who was tipped to fill Raheem Sterling's boots last summer.

Ibe has regressed and didn't even make the bench against Stoke or Borussia Dortmund.

This was his first league start since the win at Norwich in January and he grew into it – playing a part in both goals.

Ibe picked out Sturridge in the build up to the opener and then delivered the pin-point free-kick for Sturridge to make it 2-0.

In the second half Liverpool should have extended their lead. Firmino fired wide after Boruc flapped before Sturridge's exquisite dink struck the post.

Bournemouth briefly rallied but stand-in Reds captain Lucas Leiva, who along with Tommy Elphick laid a wreath in memory of the 96 before kick-off, led by example.

This was Lucas' first start since he hurt his thigh in the League Cup final and again he showed his versatility at centre-back.

Twice, Ward denied King before he brilliantly clawed behind Grabban's header.

Liverpool always looked a threat on the counter and Sturridge hammered against the angle of post and bar.

King pulled one back late on but the Reds were worthy winners. The bandwagon rolls on.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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