Tuesday 25 October 2016 23:41, UK
Graeme Souness says he understands why Daniel Sturridge does not get in Jurgen Klopp's usual starting XI at Liverpool.
Sturridge, who scored twice in Liverpool's 2-1 win over Tottenham in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, has found first-team opportunities hard to come by in the Premier League so far.
Despite his performance, Sky Sports pundit Souness says the high intensity game that Klopp prefers does not always suit Sturridge's style of play.
"The best team won," Souness said. "I think Daniel Sturridge alone had eight shots on goal. Divock Origi and Sturridge were the difference today, and the best team are going through.
"But you can see why he's not in the starting XI here. Klopp wants to play high-pressing, high-tempo. You have to be very fit and you have to be willing to run around.
"When you look at Sturridge, the first thing you see is his ridiculous technique. He's as good as anybody. The second thing you see is that you would never describe Sturridge as busting a gut.
"He's got wonderful qualities, but unless he can find that energy at this stage of his career, he's not going to be a starter here."
The England striker, who has been hampered by injury problems in recent years, has started just four Premier League games this term.
He was in fine form at Anfield on Tuesday as Liverpool progressed to the last eight, but Jamie Redknapp says the 27-year-old needs to perform like this more often.
"When the team was named, he was probably thinking, 'Have I got to play tonight?' There are other players like Roberto Firmino who are ahead of him in the pecking order. But all he can do is do what he's done tonight.
"Play well, show a great attitude and score goals. He's a special talent. We're talking about one of the best forwards in the world on his day. That's how good he is.
"He needs to do it more often. I love the second goal, and with his pace, he's got to be running in-behind defenders more. The last thing you want as a defender is to be running the other way as Sturridge comes through.
"For the first goal, you can't teach that anticipation. You cannot teach that. Robbie Fowler had it. Ian Rush had it. They just smell it, know something might happen."
Liverpool have taken a step towards their first trophy under Klopp with the win, having lost in two finals last season.
Redknapp believes Klopp's side are favourites to lift the EFL Cup in Wembley for a ninth time, especially with both Manchester clubs playing each other on Wednesday evening.
"I think they're favourites to win this," Redknapp said. "We're going to lose a Manchester club on Wednesday, and if they get a good draw in the next round, who knows."
