Wednesday 30 July 2014 09:17, UK
Daniel Sturridge believes Liverpool have the squad to handle Luis Suarez's exit and will challenge for top honours in 2014/15.
Last season’s top Premier League marksman has secured a £75million move to Barcelona, with Liverpool deciding the time was right to cash in on 31-goal Suarez.
His absence will be felt at Anfield as the Uruguayan is blessed with the kind of match-winning ability that can make the difference in tight contests.
For me, with the signings the manager has made – exciting players, young players, real up and comers – we are going to have that winning mentality.
Sturridge is, however, of the opinion that Liverpool were no one-man team last season and that summer recruits will help to plug the gaps and maintain the ‘winning mentality’ on Merseyside.
The England international said in the Daily Mirror: “Liverpool is a huge club, it’s an elite club and people don’t realise that.
“We have a lot of players who can step up. Luis has left and that is football, he’s moved on.
“For me, with the signings the manager has made – exciting players, young players, real up and comers – we are going to have that winning mentality.
“Players come and go, that’s the nature of the game. Some will remain at a club their whole career like Stevie Gerrard and some will move.
“It doesn’t matter. We will still have the mentality to move forward, be an exciting squad, playing attacking football, and that’s the Liverpool way. We will continue to do that.”
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Liverpool fell agonisingly short in their efforts to end a 24-year wait for a top-flight title in 2013/14, but Sturridge is confident they will be among the frontrunners again this season and will relish a return to UEFA Champions League competition.
He added: “I’m excited about the new season.
“Last season we were the underdogs, but now people expect us to kick on. It’s a great chance to show what we can do again. Regardless if we are underdogs or favourites, our mentality won’t change.
“We are a young, hungry squad looking to put our stamp down, not just in the Premier League but Europe as well.
“We will try to move forward with a great manager behind us who has the exact same mentality.
“He is hungry for success – everyone is. That is the motto and the key point I’m trying to make.
“I will give 100 per cent and the other boys will too. Whoever is selected will go out with the right mentality to try and win games – as has always been the way.”
Watch Liverpool take on Manchester City in the International Champions Cup on Thursday morning - kick off is just after midnight, live on Sky Sports 1.
