Liverpool fans are about to find out if it's mere coincidence that Daniel Sturridge's injury has triggered a run of poor form, or whether the 25-year-old striker really is the most important player at Anfield, ahead of Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard. Sturridge is due back on Sunday against QPR after a thigh injury controversially picked up on England duty at the start of September, with Liverpool facing Real Madrid three days later. And the facts are these. Before Sturridge's injury, Liverpool had won two of their three matches and scored six goals. A win ratio of 66 per cent and goal average of two per game.
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Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge set to make return from injury against QPR on Sunday
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Sturridge has been out since beginning of September
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Mario Balotelli has so far failed to fill Sturridge's boots following a £16m move from AC Milan
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Balotelli admits that he plays better alongside another striker
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Brendan Rodgers' side won two of first three games with Sturridge in side
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Liverpool lost three times while the England centre forward was injured
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Gerrard, who has played with a few decent strikers in his time, has said of @placeholder: 'His movement is fantastic.