Liverpool: Daniel Sturridge signs new long-term contract

3 October 2014

Daniel Sturridge for Liverpool — Image caption,
Sturridge is currently out injured after suffering a thigh injury on England duty

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has signed a new long-term contract with the Anfield club.

The 25-year-old England forward joined the Reds from Chelsea in January 2013 and has scored 36 goals in 52 appearances for Liverpool.

He told their official website: "It's a big, big day in my life to commit to this club and to give my best years, which are ahead of me."

Sturridge has missed Liverpool's last six matches with a hamstring strain.

The former Manchester City player said extending his stay with last season's Premier League runners-up was "an easy decision".

BBC Sport's Ben Smith
"The new deal, which is potentially worth as much as £150,000 per week, is heavily incentivised. But if he does hit a series of performance-related targets it puts him in a similar bracket to Steven Gerrard. And that's symbolic because it is a recognition that having lost Luis Suarez, Sturridge has emerged as the player Liverpool must build their attack around. Raheem Sterling is the next player Liverpool will open talks with."

BBC Sport's Ben Smith

"The new deal, which is potentially worth as much as £150,000 per week, is heavily incentivised. But if he does hit a series of performance-related targets it puts him in a similar bracket to Steven Gerrard. And that's symbolic because it is a recognition that having lost Luis Suarez, Sturridge has emerged as the player Liverpool must build their attack around. Raheem Sterling is the next player Liverpool will open talks with."

He added: "There are a lot of things I'm happy with how they've gone so far, but there is a lot to come.

"I may have had some good games and scored some goals, but literally this is the beginning in terms of what I can show.

"We were so close to success last season and it was a bitter pill to take not winning the league, but that's just a taster of what the fans will get - but hopefully this time we'll have the trophies to show for it."

Sturridge's 21 Premier League goals last season made him the division's leading English goalscorer.

He enjoying a 53-goal partnership with Luis Suarez during the 2013-14 campaign, but with the Uruguayan leaving for Barcelona in the summer, Sturridge will now hope to work in tandem with new signing Mario Balotelli.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted the club is going through a "little period of transition" - and Sturridge praised the Reds boss for improving his performances.

"Since I've come in here, he's put his faith in me and played me in a central role - which I've always been asking for throughout my career," said Sturridge.

Getty Images

Sturridge says he has "had some good games and scored some goals" in his Liverpool career

Liverpool: Daniel Sturridge signs new long-term contract

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