Daniel Sturridge is “up there with Liverpool’s greatest strikers” but should look to teammate Roberto Firmino for inspiration if he is to force his way back into the starting XI, according to Jamie Carragher.
Sturridge, whose 2015-16 campaign was blighted by injuries, has started just three games so far this season, with Klopp preferring the attacking trio of Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane.
Whilst the Englishman has only found the net once this term, scoring in the Reds’ 5-0 thrashing of Burton in the EFL Cup, Firmino has been on target four times, having started all but one Premier League game.
Speaking to the ESPN, club legend Carragher explained that Jurgen Klopp’s tactical changes have made for increased competition.
“At this moment Jurgen Klopp fancies Roberto Firmino in that central striker position,” he said.
“He is only playing one striker at the moment, which is a problem for Daniel. Last season he was playing with two, so that’s something he has to think about.
“How can he improve? What is Firmino doing that he is not doing?”
The player-turned-pundit, though, was eager to stress that Sturridge’s mightily-impressive record of 55 goals in 99 games makes him one of Liverpool’s all-time greats, but hinted that he may have to improve his work-rate, one of Firmino’s strongest traits, to cement a starting place.
“Daniel Sturridge’s strike rate for Liverpool is outstanding,” he pointed out. “Up there with the greatest strikers Liverpool have had.
“We know he can do that, but perhaps Jurgen Klopp wants different things from him that Firmino can add.
“So maybe Daniel has to look at that and think where he can improve to get back into the team.”
Rumours have surfaced this week that Juventus may be eyeing a summer swoop for the 27-year old, with Stoke and Sunderland also thought to be considering ambitious moves.
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