Daniel Sturridge: Liverpool Can 'Beat Anyone,' 'Win Dirty Games'

Few are more bullish than Daniel Sturridge about Liverpool’s prospects for the 2014-15 season.

One day after scoring the game-winning goal in Liverpool’s season-opening win over Southampton, Sturridge told reporters that the Reds are primed to build on last-season’s title challenge by winning games in a variety of ways.

“It’s very important for us to do the same this year, to show resilience and have the mentality to show we can fight as a team,” Sturridge said, according to the Telegraph. “In these instances, when we play against teams that are going to make it very difficult for us to break them down, we have to try and find different ways to win games.

“Whether it be individual brilliance, poacher’s goals, a set piece or something. It doesn’t matter how, we have to win these games by any means possible.

“This shows we can win the dirty games as well as playing the nice football, with the intricate moves and the one-twos around the box.”

Sturridge was one of the stars of Liverpool’s unexpected challenge for the Premier League title in 2013-14. Many are unsure whether the Reds can mount another assault at domestic glory, but Sturridge isn’t one of the skeptics. The 24-year-old striker said confidence is flowing through Liverpool’s squad, and the Reds believe their manager Brendan Rodgers can lead them to victory against any opponent.

“Last season we were underdogs and this season we will be underdogs,” Sturridge said. “It’s early in the season but we have got a confidence and belief in our squad. It doesn’t matter what the opposition is.

“We have got a belief in the manager’s philosophy and with the individuals we have and the way we play collectively, we can beat anyone. We have got off to a good start and it is fantastic but there are 37 more games to go.

Sturridge shoulders increased responsibility this season, as he has become the focal point of Liverpool’s attack following the summer sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona.

The extent to which Sturridge increases his own goal production and offsets the loss of Suarez will be determined by a number of factors, the biggest of which is self-belief.

Check.