Sturridge: How Didi inspired my Europa League final goal
Daniel Sturridge has revealed how his Europa League final wondergoal was inspired by none other than Liverpool legend Didi Hamann.
The 26-year-old opened the scoring in Basel by sending a remarkable left-footed, outside-of-the-boot curler into the far corner of the net from the edge of the box in the 35th minute.
A second-half flurry from Sevilla ensured the Reds were ultimately denied silverware, but Sturridge's strike remains one that will live long in the memory despite that disappointment.
When asked about the technique behind it, he credited an Anfield icon and two other former Barclays Premier League stars for helping him add a new string to his bow.
And the No.15 explained that his constant desire for improvement means he is always looking to expand his repetoire.
Sturridge said: "When I got the ball, I wasn’t intending to go inside but the defender kept backing off and it gave me the space to shoot.
"So if he’s going to give me space I’m going to take the opportunity. In training, I try to use the outside of my foot quite a lot.
"I speak to the goalkeepers a lot to try to find out things they don’t like, so it helps give me an advantage over opposition goalkeepers — that style of shot gives them problems.
"I’ve played with players I’ve learnt that from — also Didi Hamann was very big with the outside of his foot.
"There was Deco, was who was very good with the outside of his foot. Paul Merson was top drawer with the outside of his foot too.
"So there are a lot of people who can you see doing it and try to pick things up.
"I’m always learning and trying to improve."