Daniel Sturridge has set himself a target of 100 goals for Liverpool after reaching his half-century in the derby victory over Everton.
The striker came off the bench to score Liverpool’s third in the 4-0 defeat of Roberto Martínez’s team and could reclaim his regular starting role because Divock Origi suffered an ankle injury during Wednesday’s match at Anfield.
Despite being beset by injuries during his Liverpool career, Sturridge has scored 50 goals in only 87 appearances and insists there is much more to achieve with the club.
“My dad and my brother pay attention to that stuff,” the 26-year-old said. “I just look to go out there and score as many goals as possible. To be in a winning team is more important because when you are in a winning team that is what matters most. When you score goals and your team doesn’t win games it is the worst feeling in the world. Although you do feel good, you lost, so they don’t mean anything.
“It has been a good time since I’ve been here and it is great to get to 50 goals. I won’t play it down and say I’m not happy I’ve done so well so far with the club but it is onwards and upwards. It is important to understand now the next aim is 100 goals. Now 50 has gone it is on to the next game and hopefully I can add to that. It should be 51 because the fourth goal is mine.”
Sturridge remains adamant Philippe Coutinho’s goal in the derby should be credited to him despite the Brazilian’s shot taking the faintest touch off the striker en route to Joel Robles’s net.
The striker said: “He would claim it is his but it touched me so it is my goal. If I shot and it hit someone I wouldn’t like to lose the goal but it hit me so I have to claim it. If it touches you, you claim it wherever it touches you – eyelash, wherever. It did actually touch me. I’m not the type of guy who would claim a goal if it didn’t touch me. I know there are some guys out there hungry for goals but I’m not that hungry. There have been some dubious decisions but that is not dubious, it is clear for everyone to see.”
