Liverpool must beat Hull and Daniel Sturridge has had a 'nightmare' season, says Phil Thompson

Phil Thompson reflects on a "wasted" season for Daniel Sturridge and warns Liverpool the pressure is on against Hull.

Sturridge is out of Liverpool's visit to Hull on Tuesday and manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted the England striker may not feature again this season.

The 25-year-old has been restricted to seven Premier League starts while Liverpool have scored just 47 goals in 33 league games - considerably fewer than their top-four rivals.

Thommo's Tip:

Liverpool to beat Hull 2-0 with Gerrard to score first - 40/1

Sturridge has scored four Premier League goals this season but has not reached the level of performance he enjoyed in the 2013/14 campaign - in which he scored 21 league goals - and Thompson believes that is down to his inability to train.

"In all honesty, it's really been a wasted season for Daniel, and it would have made such a difference to the team if he'd have been fit from the outset," he told Sky Sports.

"Even the games he's come back and played in, he hasn't been able to get going. With him not having enough training sessions, it's been very difficult for him to make an overall impact on the season.

"I know he's scored a few goals but it's just not been enough. His injuries have been going on for nearly the whole of the season - it’s been a nightmare for the lad."

Missed opportunity

Liverpool drew 0-0 with West Brom on Saturday and subsequently missed an opportunity to close the gap on fourth-placed Manchester United to five points, with Louis van Gaal's side losing at Everton on Sunday.

Thompson believes Liverpool need to win each of their remaining five league games if they are to have any chance of breaking back into the top four.

He said: "West Brom was obviously a missed opportunity, with other teams ahead of Liverpool dropping points. The weekend's results make it even more important now that Liverpool get three points at Hull.

"This has become a must-win game now - they all are, even Chelsea away. They've all become so important.

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"The Hull game is massive. There's a whole new pressure on the side now to get the three points and at least have a go at making the top four.

"The West Brom game was there for the taking, but it's always proved a difficult ground for Liverpool to go to.

"There was no cutting edge to either side, and that's been a problem for Liverpool particularly over the last few weeks. They never look like running away with a game 2-0 or 3-0 anymore."

Threat

Hull, who beat Liverpool 3-1 at home last season, are just one point above the relegation zone and Thompson is wary of their threat.

"Let's not forget that Hull are desperate for three points themselves," he said. "With the run of fixtures that they’ve got, they’ve got to try and make sure that they up their home form.

"A draw is probably going to be ok for them, but, rest assured, they will be out to win this game because they’re not in a good situation, despite a great win at the weekend.

"Steve Bruce will be reminding his players about last season. That was probably Liverpool’s worst performance of that whole campaign.

"The overall performance was absolutely dreadful but Bruce will be telling his men how well they played that day. Likewise, I would imagine Brendan Rodgers will be reminding his players of that game too and telling them not to make the same mistakes."

Thommo has tipped Liverpool to beat Hull 2-0 at 15/2 with Sky Bet.