The Liverpool striker scored a double as the Reds looked to progress past Tottenham last night to the EFL quarter-finals.
Without a goal in the Premier League since April, it hasn’t been an easy time for Sturridge.
But the EFL Cup continues to be a reprieve for him as he scored his fourth in the competition this season and the chances that were missed could be forgotten.
Now it is time to start showing his prowess in the Premier League, if he gets his chance of course.
Liverpool were defending a nine-game unbeaten run and Klopp said they have not even reached 100 per cent yet.
That was his first-choice XI to be fair.
He did not know what per cent the reserves would be yet as the Kop boss made 11 changes from the win over West Brom at the weekend.
But one of those was Sturridge and he would end up playing a big part in how this game went as the forward opened the scoring after the Reds got an early break.
Georges-Kevin Nkoudou’s slip at the wrong time gave the ball to Marko Grujic and he was allowed to waltz into the area before hitting a shot.
It must be said the Spurs keeper was slow off his line, but Sturridge’s alertness helped him to this third of the season after two at Burton earlier in this competition.
Klopp revealed recently that Sturridge has still been impressing in training leaving “tears in the eyes” of those watching.
There were tears of pain when he squandered a chance to double his side’s lead just nine minutes later.
Divock Origi – another forward with a point to prove – was unstoppable as he raced down the right before poking the ball across to Sturridge.
The England striker was in acres of space but scuffed his shot straight at Vorm.
In between he had a decent shot tipped over by the Spurs keeper but the later miss was almost as memorable as the goal.
Vincent Janssen – the Spurs striker with a point to prove – them flashed a header over as the visitors finally got into the hosts’ box.
He was one of 10 changes to Mauricio Pochettino’s side as the Spurs boss has bigger competitions on his mind.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of the Liverpool academy starlets given a chance to impress.
He has been backed by Reds icon Steven Gerrard to be a hit no less and a player who grew up not far from Anfield dreaming of one day playing on this pitch like his hero.
The full-back looked bright early on as the threatened down the right and looked keen to impress.
Tottenham were still pushing at the other end though and Dutch forward Janssen forced Simon Mignolet into a good stop.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp embraces Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino after the match
Sturridge then missed another sitter when played in by Origi again after the break.
This time he took his eye off the ball and it hit his standing leg after he swept across his right boot.
Then when he we pushed the ball past Tom Carroll, his run was halted by the outstretched arm of the Tottenham midfielder but he was never going to get a penalty.
Origi forced Vorm to tip over with a powerful strike from distance before Sturridge finally got his second.
Georginio Wijnaldum slid through the England man and he slotted the ball through Vorm’s legs.
But Spurs refused to accept defeat and, with 14 minutes left, they gained a foothold back in the game after Liverpool skipper Lucas had upended Erik Lamela in the box.
Janssen made no mistake from the spot to set up a nervy last few minutes.
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