Daniel Sturridge admits he enjoys the pressure of playing in big games for Liverpool and England

Follow us on Google Discover

The Liverpool striker is in contention to start England’s Euro 2016 last-16 clash with Iceland on Monday.

Liverpool and England striker Daniel Sturridge has told ITV, as quoted by his club’s official website, that he thrives on the pressure of playing on hugely important games for club and country and just tries to enjoy the tension.

Sturridge is hoping to get the nod from Roy Hodgson to start in attack for the Three Lions when they take on Iceland in their Euro 2016 last-16 clash on Monday night.

So far in the tournament it has been a mixed bag for the 26-year-old; he did not feature at all in the opening group game and was part of the England team shut out by Slovakia in the final fixture, but came up trumps with the country’s most important moment so far when he struck an injury-time winner against Wales.

That strike was the latest defining moment in the striker’s career and showcased his ability to keep his cool and deliver the goods when needed.

He will be desperate to prove that quality again on Monday, and admitted to ITV that his success comes from enjoying the pressure of high-intensity games and remaining positive when things are going against him.

Sturridge said, as quoted by the Liverpool website: “I love playing big games, it’s the best feeling. When you’re in the situations where everything’s on the line and someone’s got to step up.

“When I’m playing I try to have as much fun as I can because this doesn’t last forever. When I’m on the pitch, I don’t worry if I give the ball away, I don’t worry if I miss a chance, I don’t worry if things aren’t going well for me because I’m having fun.

“It’s the biggest for England, for sure. It’s just going out there and enjoying it, embracing it, feeling the vibes. It’s not about worrying about the occasion, it’s worrying what I’m going to do to cause the opposition problems. That’s my biggest worry, nothing else.”

If Sturridge is given the nod to start on Monday he can surely seal his place in the side for the rest of the tournament by coming up with a fine performance under pressure to inspire Hodgson’s side to progress to the quarter-finals.