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Between injuries and losses and generally poor performances, it would be fair to say there hasn't been an awful lot for Liverpool fans to get excited about a little so far in the 2014-15 campaign. The return of Daniel Sturridge, though, with the striker expected to be fully fit following the international break, gives reason to hope that the Reds could soon turn things around.
And when Sturridge returns, it will be with a new, long-term contract that ties the 25-year-old to Anfield for the next five seasons. With the striker becoming Liverpool's main man in attack following the departure of Luis Suarez, a new deal was always on the cards, and so long as the England international can stay fit this will be a major piece of good news for the club moving forward.
"It feels great," the striker told the club's official website. "It's a big, big day in my life to commit to this club and to give the club my best years, which are ahead of me. I am thankful for the opportunity, and that is the reason I committed my future. Everyone has been great with me, from the fas to the staff to the players, so it was an easy decision. I'm happy with how everything is going."
Sturridge arrived in 2013 from Chelsea for a cut-rate £12M fee and has since scored 36 goals in 52 matches, putting the doubts that stuck to him at his previous club behind him and establishing himself as one of the league's top strikers. His new deal rewards that growth and his goal-scoring prowess, raising his pay to a reported £150k a week. The striker, though, believes the best is yet to come.
"I may have had some good games and scored some goals, but literally this is the beginning in terms of what I can show," he said. "I don't feel I've shown really what I can do as a footballer. I am looking forward to the hard work, the training, the games and everything—and looking forward to the future."
