SUNDAY TALK: Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge - From Birmingham's grimy streets to football fields

I am no Liverpool fan, but I certainly enjoy watching the skill and ability of their striker Daniel Sturridge on display. At 23 years old, Sturridge, who hails from a solid Jamaican stock, is developing into one of the English Premier League's top frontmen but his story didn't start on football pitches across the UK.

Sturridge made it there in spite of many challenges before him; violence and drugs were some of the harsh realities of his childhood, but the strength of a strong family foundation and his own ambitions led him to his current path.

The England international took some time to meet with us the other day ahead of some commendable charity work, which he is undertaking with the help of Digicel, as he took up beyond the hype and into his world.

Let's talk!

André Lowe (AL): Daniel Sturridge, of course the whole world knows you as the England and Liverpool 'baller', but let's get beyond that and speak a little about Daniel Sturridge - the man; growing up, family, etc.

Daniel Sturridge (DS): Well, I grew up in Hockley, Birmingham in England; it wasn't the best of neighbourhoods, with a lot of crime and drugs being sold, people getting shot and all these stuff. For myself, it was hard to find role models, my uncle played football so I looked up to him, but besides him, there were only drug dealers to look up to, but I wasn't interested in that.

I was more interested in being a success, in working hard and keeping my mind clear. My family kept me grounded, we didn't have much; sometimes we wouldn't eat and then sometimes we may have bun but no cheese or stuff like that. It's something that I have been humbled by and it's why I am the way I am now. I always try to give back whether to family members, friends or even charity, because I know the struggle, I have lived it!

AL: Inspirational stuff there. Let's go back a little to your Jamaican roots though.

DS: My mom's parents and my dad's parents are both Jamaicans and then I have most of my cousins, uncles, granduncles coming from here, so I'm as Jamaican as I am English.

AL: How big then is the Jamaican influence in your day-to-day life?

DS: I grew up like one to be honest; my culture is like that - the music, the food, everything else.

AL: What would you say is the most surprising thing about Daniel Sturridge?

DS: Hmmm ... People don't know me and my background, so they just assume I'm just some guy, whose uncle played football so I grew up with money. But my household didn't have any money; we struggled. My parents were always supportive though. My mother was a schoolteacher, my dad quit his job and became a football coach and used to coach me a lot. If you get to know me you will know I'm a humble guy - that's a surprise for some.

AL: An interesting little fact is that you are the first and only Premier League player to score on all his debuts, I don't know if you make much of that.

DS: Yea, I know it's quite crazy to be honest. I guess I'm just blessed and God just gave me the opportunity to do that. It's one of those things I suppose.

AL: Ok, so it's not because of any special Sturridge pre-game ritual then? (laughs)

DS: Hahaha No man, it's no obeah or anything like that (laughs).

AL: Well you took it to the extreme.

DS: Yea, I'm just messing, but I don't know what it is, I just pray a lot and I think I'm just blessed. Maybe it will continue or maybe I won't have another debut and I will stay at Liverpool for the rest of my life.

AL: In an interview some time ago, you said you modelled yourself off Thierry Henry ...

DS: ... Yes, I still do ...

AL: Well I suppose you would consider him a favourite player of yours?

DS: Most definitely, of all time. For me, Thierry Henry and Ronaldo are the two players I have idolised ...

AL: .... The 'real' Ronaldo?

DS: (laughs) Yea, the 'real' Ronaldo; c'mon man, obviously. When I was younger I used to watch videos of Pele and Maradona but me growing up and watching football, Henry and the original Brazilian Ronaldo are the two I looked up to most.

AL: Another interesting Sturridge fact is that you have played for England at all levels, what does that mean to you?

DS: That's also one of the things I'm happy about; to play for England and to score at every age level as well is really special for me.

AL: You do know you will find a few Jamaicans ready to convince you that you would be better off playing for the Reggae Boyz, right?

DS: Of course (laughs) ... it's just one of those things. I think if Jamaica approached players at 15 years old then it would be easier because at 19 or 20-odd years old, you would have probably played for the senior team already.

AL: Well, you know Raheem Sterling and his situation very well, you know the Jamaicans are interested in pulling him in but he has also represented the England senior team at the senior level.

DS: They won't get him, I think Raheem will play for England. He has represented England at the youth level and also the senior level and I think that he thinks it's wise for him to not represent Jamaica. He has the talent to play for England, no disrespect to Jamaica, but they weren't the ones who gave him the opportunity to play international youth football. It would be silly for him to say he will play for Jamaica now having already represented the Under-21s and the senior team at 18 years old or so.

Whatever he wants to do though, I will support him anyway, that's my brother.

AL: Close relationship between you two?

DS: Definitely, we have the same background in where we are coming from and family and that sort of stuff. We talk together a lot at training. He is probably the closest player I'm with at the club and I want to help him become better than myself and one of the best in the world.

AL: You play for one of the most storied clubs in world football; not a great time for the club these days, but you have been making waves since joining Liverpool, scoring 10 goals in 14 games. What has that experience been like for you?

DS: It's been good, I have enjoyed it and I am hoping that continues. I keep my faith in God and hope he continues to bless me. I do my bit and hope he does the rest. I can never thank God or my family enough.

It's been a great experience, Liverpool have some of the best fans in the world, there is always huge support for the team week in and week out. Anfield is always sold out and they always travel well when we are away, it's great to be a part of that.

AL: Are you here in Jamaica often?

DS: I'm here at least once a year. For the last five years, I have been coming like that and I think I will be here next year again. I want to stay in touch with my roots and everything that I believe in and this place is important for me to see the sacrifices my ancestors made, so that I can be who I am today.

AL: What do you look forward to the most when you come here?

DS: Mainly the family, the food, the vibe. This place has a certain energy about it and so much talent here that people don't get to show, which is what my charity is about; giving youth an opportunity to showcase that talent and give them a platform for it to be seen so that opportunities are created for them.

AL: What's your most memorable game?

DS: The game against Fulham - the first hat-trick that I ever scored at the senior level. I did that a lot as a youth, but it gets a lot more difficult.

AL: Well, you certainly made headlines and you know how to do that, but not like your teammate Luis Suarez. What do you make of him, what can you tell us about him as a person?

DS: I think he is a great footballer and a great guy. For me, I just hope he stays at the club because he brings a lot to the team and he is a vital part of us trying to move forward.

(AL): By the way, I know you injured your ankle recently, how's the recovery coming along?

DS: It's coming along good, won't be long till I'm out of the cast and once I'm out of that then the improvements will really start.

AL: Well, we will see how that turns out. Thanks for taking the time out to chat with us, Daniel.

Until next time .... happy Sunday.