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Robbie Fowler: Daniel Sturridge deserves praise for leaving Liverpool

Daniel Sturridge is still one of the best English strikers around and deserves to be praised for moving to Albion, according to Robbie Fowler.

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Daniel Sturridge. (AMA)

The 28-year-old has joined the Baggies on loan from Liverpool until the end of the season, although some former players like Ian Wright and Alan Shearer have questioned his decision to choose Albion over Newcastle to be near his family.

But Fowler, who scored 183 goals in 369 appearances for Liverpool, says Sturridge has shown the right attitude by leaving Anfield for a new challenge.

“Daniel’s still one of the best English strikers around, and has proven that over a number of years,” Fowler told the Daily Star.

“I know he’s had a tough time with injuries but I would never have a go at any player if they had done what he has.

“He is a proud man, he wants to play games, score goals. A fit and firing Daniel Sturridge is one of the top English strikers still.

“You have to say good on him. He has put his hand up and wants to go out there and play.

“I was in the same boat and it happened to me before I went to Leeds.

“I’ve been in that position before where you are a talented player and scoring goals, but ultimately there are players doing a job (at your club).”

Head coach Alan Pardew enticed Sturridge to The Hawthorns with the promise of first-team football in the run-up to the World Cup in Russia this summer.

However, Sturridge himself did not mention the tournament during negotiations and Fowler believes he would have left Liverpool – where he was struggling to get games – even if there wasn’t a major tournament at the end of the season.

“Regardless of a World Cup he will want to be out there playing,” he said. “That’s the type of player he is. You can’t knock him for that.”