Sunday’s match between Chelsea and Liverpool will unfortunately be remembered for all the wrong reasons – Luis Suarez’ ridiculous behavior has no place on a football pitch and sadly his antics have detracted massively from what was a brilliant Barclays Premier League encounter.

If you leave Suarez’ snacking on Ivanovic aside, the match had everything – goals, bookings, great chances and superb technical football from two quality sides. There were a number of top-class players on show from Steven Gerrard, Lucas and Luis Suarez (strictly for his football) for Liverpool; to Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar for Chelsea. But it was hard to look past Chelsea old-boy, Daniel Sturridge, as the best performer on the pitch on Sunday.

Brendan Rodgers sent Sturridge on at half time for Phillippe Coutinho and he had an instant impact. Suddenly, the previously impotent Liverpool looked dangerous and the live-wire Sturridge was at the heart of everything. The former Man City and Chelsea striker was instantly taking on defenders; playing sweet passes and flicks; and bringing his team-mates into the game. Within minutes of the restart Sturridge beat a number of defenders and slipped in an exquisite through ball for Liverpool captain Gerrard and it took a brilliant save from Chelsea’s captain-for-the-day, Petr Cech, to deny him making it 1-1.

Next Sturridge ran at the Chelsea defense again, beating several defenders with close ball control before hitting a wicked left foot shot from outside the penalty area which beat Petr Cech only to see it rebound back off the post.

A few minutes later the impressive Liverpool were not to be denied the equalizer and their pressure finally told as villain Suarez hit an inch perfect curling pass into the 6 yard box which Sturridge expertly managed to skillfully side-foot home. The classy striker then smiled broadly but out of respect for his former team and old colleagues he was completely under-stated in his goal celebrations while his Liverpool team-mates deliriously mobbed him.

Sturridge continued to cause Chelsea numerous problems for the rest of the match and he was virtually unplayable with his pace, tricky dribbling and willingness to make runs in behind the defense. The last match Sturridge appeared in for the Blues was coincidentally Roberto Di Matteo’s last match in charge against West Brom in November.

Sturridge was frustrated with his lack of opportunities at Chelsea and based upon his performance on Sunday he definitely should have started the match for Liverpool. You can only hope he gets lots of chances in the first team at Liverpool (only not against Chelsea) as opposed to the limited openings he got at Man City and Chelsea.

Sturridge cost Liverpool a reported £12million from Chelsea and it was clearly a total steal for the Merseysiders as he really does look like the real deal now and I expect him to be an England regular over the next few years. It is a shame he did not get the chances his talent deserved at Chelsea and to think he did not even get on the pitch as a substitute under Benitez really is almost criminal.

I think we did make a mistake by selling Daniel Sturridge – we should have believed in his talent and given him a genuine opportunity to do his thing and establish himself. What do you think, should we have sold him to Liverpool?