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Liverpool's former striker Daniel Sturridge has revealed that it was the Reds' commitment to their renowned 'Moneyball' approach that persuaded him to make the switch to Anfield. Sturridge arrived at Liverpool in January 2013 from Chelsea in a $16million deal.
The now 36-year-old developed a lethal attacking combination with Luis Suarez following his arrival and his goalscoring exploits nearly guided Liverpool, then under Brendan Rodgers' stewardship, to Premier League glory in 2014.
Whilst persistent injury problems significantly disrupted Sturridge's Merseyside journey, he departed the club in 2019 as a Champions League winner, having netted a succession of spectacular strikes that perfectly complemented his trademark dancing celebration.
Many of Liverpool's fans continue to regard the former England international with great affection, with his clinical finishing prowess frequently drawing comparisons to Anfield legends such as Robbie Fowler.
Despite securing Champions League success with Chelsea prior to his Anfield move, Sturridge found first-team opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge. Nevertheless, it was Liverpool's meticulous analytical work that persuaded Sturridge that his statistical profile and considerable potential at the Blues could develop into something remarkable should he join the club.
"It was in how they relayed their plan to me of what they wanted to do and what they wanted to achieve," Sturridge told FourFourTwo in July 2024.
"They talked a lot about the statistics; the Moneyball type of thing. I think I was one of the first players, if not the first, that they'd signed with that in mind, which was all based on stats.
"Things such as conversion rates – they were like, 'You don't get many opportunities, but when you play, you score, and also this and this, and we've seen this other thing, too'. I was like, 'This whole thing you've put up in front of me is blowing my mind a little bit'. I really liked the way they were thinking."
Liverpool's ownership group, FSG, have frequently been associated with a 'Moneyball' philosophy towards player recruitment. It's a concept popularised by writer Michael Lewis in his book about Billy Beane and his tenure as General Manager of the Oakland Athletics baseball franchise.
Whilst it's commonly misunderstood as simply purchasing players on the cheap, it's actually founded on empirical analysis and data to inform recruitment choices. The phrase 'Moneyball' became so widespread it even inspired a Hollywood baseball film featuring Brad Pitt.
Sturridge went on to explain that, alongside the club's vision for him, it was Rodgers' attacking philosophy that also persuaded him to join. "The manager, Brendan Rodgers, was a forward-thinking, attacking, free-flowing coach as well, so it just made perfect sense, because I wasn't playing every game prior to that," he continued.
"I've always been someone who isn't content being at a big team simply to be there," he explained. "I want to play. If that means leaving to play for somebody else, so be it. So, when Liverpool came, it was like, 'This is an unbelievable football club and if they want me, I'm going'".
Sturridge netted 67 times in 160 outings for Liverpool. Post his departure, he had stints with West Brom, Trabzonspor in Turkey and Perth Glory in Australia's A-League.
Liverpool is now set to face off against Sturridge's old club Chelsea this Saturday, with the Reds aiming to bounce back from consecutive losses when they take on Enzo Maresca's team.
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