Wednesday, 4th June, 2014
Former England captain Alan Shearer has insisted that he has no doubt about Daniel Sturridge starting for the Three Lions in their World Cup opener against Italy on 14th June.
The striker was in lethal form for Liverpool in the 2013/14 campaign, scoring 22 Premier League goals, only behind his team-mate Luis Suarez on the leading goalscorers chart.
Sturridge’s displays in front of goal prompted England boss Roy Hodgson to include him in his final World Cup squad.
And Shearer feels the 24-year-old can make the England shirt his for years to come if the former Manchester City and Chelsea player backs up his qualities with self-conviction.
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"I think there is no doubt he will start against Italy and so he should, and then the rest is up to him," the Newcastle United legend was quoted as saying by Liverpool’s official site.
"And the quicker he feels that shirt is his then the better it will be for him and everyone because he will play with the belief and confidence that he is a top player.
"He has had a great season. He also feels at home at Liverpool which is probably why he is performing. He feels a big part of it now.
"He likes running in behind making darting little runs, his movement in the box is very good and his goalscoring for Liverpool has been fantastic.
"I hope he can keep it up because if he does he could be around for a few years."
Sturridge, who has scored 36 goals in 49 matches in all competitions for Liverpool, has 11 caps and four strikes for England to his name.
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