Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge shows his skill, yet still is cemented behind Divock Origi

Sturridge remains Liverpool’s most potent finisher, but he has been displaced by a workhorse, in the bubby Belgian, who scored twice in a 4-1 win over Stoke City, Richard Jolly writes from Anfield.

Liverpool's Divock Origi, left, is congratulated by Daniel Sturridge after scoring during their English Premier League match against Stoke City at the Anfield, Manchester, Britain, 10 April 2016. EPA/Show more

Liverpool 4 Stoke City 1

Liverpool Moreno 8', Sturridge 32', Origi 50', 65'

Stoke City Bojan 22'

Man of the match James Milner (Liverpool)

As a snapshot of Daniel Sturridge’s fortunes right now, it was pretty much perfect.

The Liverpool predator supreme timed his run into Stoke penalty area, ready for the eager apprentice's centre. Divock Origi duly took aim and found not his teammate but the City net.

Cross? Shot? Whichever, it was Liverpool 4 Stoke 1, but also Sturridge 1 Origi 2.

On a day when he did much right, Sturridge was still overshadowed by one who had understudied him. He was the starter who was outscored by the substitute. He was leading the line because this was the lesser game in Liverpool's week, sandwiched by the Europa League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund.

Origi scored in the Westfalenstadion and should start again in three days’ time.

Sturridge remains Liverpool’s most potent finisher, but he has been displaced by a workhorse, in the bubby Belgian.

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So Sturridge started against Stoke, scored arguably the game’s most important goal with considerable expertise, performed a trick or two and yet ended with the shift in the striking pecking order seemingly cemented by the way the ebullient Origi struck twice.

“His second goal is only possible with confidence,” said Jurgen Klopp, who argued it was the product of design, not luck.

“He really wanted to shoot; it was not a cross. But I want to talk about Daniel Sturridge. He worked really hard and scored a brilliant goal.”

It was a smart piece of man-management, praising the man whose status has slipped. Perhaps most tellingly, however, the German highlighted his work off the ball.

“Always really smart defending,” he noted. It is a Klopp-pleasing attribute.

Because the questions about Sturridge have concerned what he cannot do, not what he can.

Forever in the conversation, rarely on the pitch, he has cast a shadow over Klopp’s reign. The numbers tell a tale, of Liverpool’s workload, Sturridge’s stop-start campaign and his potential productivity.

This was their 52nd game of the season. Sturridge has now started exactly a quarter, 13, contributing eight goals.

The latest helped Liverpool reclaim eighth place from Stoke as they scored four goals at home for the first time under Klopp.

Stoke were shorn of six injured players but Klopp had made seven changes, largely out of choice.

Even then Dortmund, with eight alterations, outdid him. The Europa League has finally reached a stage where it becomes a priority.

Liverpool showcased strength in depth in midfield and attack. Klopp granted first league starts to the tidy anchorman Kevin Stewart and the explosive winger Sheyi Ojo, who fashioned Sturridge’s goal with a trick to beat Phil Bardsley and an accurate cross. Ojo then departed at the break, facilitating Origi’s arrival.

The substitute striker headed in James Milner’s cross before scoring from the flank himself

“We weren’t as resolute as we normally are,” said Stoke manager Mark Hughes.

His side conceded four times for the first time in 14 months.

The opener was particularly damning: Alberto Moreno’s long-range shot swerved and dipped under the diving Jakob Haugaard. At least the goalkeeper moved: three of his colleagues stood and watched as Milner rolled a free kick into Moreno’s path.

Not that the Liverpool defence were much more convincing.

“We have always found they do struggle with balls in the air,” Hughes said.

With wind a further complication, Liverpool’s enduring difficulties in defending against dead-ball deliveries was apparent.

They have conceded in more ignominious fashion this season – they let in a goal direct from a corner against League Two Exeter – but it reflected badly on all concerned when the 5ft 7in Bojan Krkic headed in Xherdan Shaqiri’s free kick.

Sturridge ensured it mattered not but Klopp’s praise should not conceal the probability the bench beckons for him again.

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