‘A FIT STURRIDGE IS WORLD-CLASS’

IF Daniel Sturridge produces another stunning goal to leave a former club devastated, you can be sure a thank-you text message will be on its way to Owen Coyle.

Sturridge has never forgotten his time under the Scottish manager during a loan spell at Bolton.

“Everyone was going overboard with the goal he scored at Chelsea last week,” said Coyle. “I was seeing things like that nearly every day from Daniel when he was at Bolton.

“I saw him score a goal like that at the Reebok against West Ham. It looks effortless because he has that natural talent, he knows how to finish.

“I loved his attitude in training, the way he went about it, the way he conducted himself. I thought he was an outstanding man.

“For Daniel, the key to how successful he can be is staying fit and healthy. When he is, then there is no one better. “He showed that when he was up front at Liverpool, under Brendan Rodgers, with Luis Suarez. You see the level Suarez plays at and Daniel was at the same level.” Sturridge arrived at Bolton at the end of January 2011 on loan from Chelsea and desperate for playing time.

He duly responded with eight Premier League goals in 11 starts.

And Coyle (left, with Sturridge) recalls having to persuade not only the player to join Bolton, but his dad too.

“Daniel’s father was anxious that his son would be used regularly. I promised that, if he showed half the ability I thought he possessed, he would be starting every game,” added Coyle.

“That was good enough for both of them.”

Now, a leaner, meaner Sturridge has emerged to play a big part in Kop manager Jurgen Klopp’s title bid.

“Klopp said in the summer that having a fit and healthy Daniel Sturridge was like signing a world-class player. And it is,” insisted Coyle.