Soccer

Liverpool's Daniel Strurridge grounded in Christ while chasing Premier League title

By Joshua Doering Mar 7, 2019
Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

As a kid, Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge prayed every morning and every night. Now with 76 goals and 214 English Premier League appearances to his name, Sturridge does the exact same thing.

“My prized possession is probably my Bible,” he said in 2016. “It’s important to me because I’m very religious. I believe you have to pray, as well as work hard, in order to get what you want from life.”

Sturridge made his Premier League debut with Manchester City at age 16. He appeared in 13 games and started twice as part of Chelsea’s title-winning team in the 2009-10 season. In January 2013, he moved to Liverpool, his current club. He scored 21 goals and recorded seven assists in his first full season with the team, helping lead Liverpool to a second-place finish in the league.

When he was named Premier League Player of the Month in August 2013, he quoted Philippians 4:13 in a tweet.

Sturridge has also made 41 appearances for the English national team. He’s scored 12 goals for his country, including one in the 2014 World Cup and a game-winner in the 91st minute at the 2016 European Championships.

After the goal, he gave thanks to God.

“It’s a great feeling. Unbelievable,” he told the BBC following the game. “I am grateful for the opportunity from the gaffer and I am grateful to God for allowing me to score.”

This season, Sturridge’s contributed two goals in 14 appearances for a Liverpool team that’s one point back of Manchester City for first place in the Premier League with nine games remaining. Should Liverpool prevail, it would be the club’s first league title since the 1989-90 season.

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