Daniel Sturridge paid tribute to the recently-retired Andrea Pirlo in a video posted by Liverpool on Twitter as he felt had the two played together, the Reds striker would have scored a bagful of goals thanks to the Italian maestro’s broad passing range.

“I can only imagine what he was like in his prime.” 👏@Pirlo_official ✅@DanielSturridge‘s Ultimate XI: https://t.co/rcbgdKG3pe pic.twitter.com/Ahr5skSmgw

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 12, 2017

Advertisement

Pirlo, who won the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Germany when he was in his prime, called time on his career after three-season stint with MLS side New York City came to an end earlier in November. He never left Italian shores to play for another club. The likes of Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus were the big sides Pirlo played for and he enjoyed plenty of success at the club level as well, with UEFA Champions League and Serie A titles filling his trophy cabinet.

Don’t miss: Watch: Kylian Mbappe nutmegs Antoine Griezmann in France training

The 38-year-old captained the Azzurri against the Three Lions because goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was injured and played a crucial role in their 2-1 win over Roy Hodgson’s men at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Sturridge had cancelled out Claudio Marchisio’s opener but maverick striker Mario Balotelli would score a second-half winner to clinch three points for the four-time World Cup champions.

Despite possessing several big names, England flattered to deceive in Brazil as they crashed out of the quadrennial tournament in the group-stages after failing to win a single match from three games.

Must read: It’s a girl! Cristiano Ronaldo proud daddy for 4th time

And the 28-year-old Liverpool striker vividly recalls that game against the Italians, as he admits the sheer audacity of Pirlo’s passes had him slack-jawed.

Sturridge, who has a career riddled with injuries, has begun the current season in a promising manner and has scored three games for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

Currently out of the England squad, Sturridge has a chance of making the final shortlist for the trip to Russia if he gets regular playing time with the Reds this season.

So far, Roberto Firmino has been preferred by Klopp at Liverpool, but if Sturrdige can avoid injuries, the German will be forced to give him a chance as his quality is undeniable.