Liverpool can’t rely on Daniel Sturridge, says Sunday Supplement panel

Daniel Sturridge is too selfish to fit into Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side and can't be relied upon to lead them from the front, according to the Sunday Supplement panel.

The England forward once again drew a blank as the Anfield side were eliminated from the FA Cup as they lost 2-1 at home to Wolves on Saturday.

Liverpool's awful start to 2017 has seen them win just once in eight games, with Sturridge's only goal in that sequence coming in the first match, a 2-2 draw at Sunderland on January 2.

The 27-year-old has only scored six goals in 20 club appearances this season and the panel does not feel he has shown himself to be the type of talismanic figure strikers at other clubs have.

Matt Law, football correspondent for The Daily Telegraph, said: "I watched the Southampton game (in the EFL Cup on Wednesday) and he just hasn't stepped up.

"[Sadio] Mane's obviously not there but someone like Sturridge… They've needed Sturridge to step up this month and he just hasn't at all.

"I don't know exactly what's behind it but I've always thought he's a selfish player, which I don't think suits Liverpool's style under Klopp.

"It's way more about the team than it is about individuals under Klopp. In terms of the way he plays, he [Sturridge] is not a leader. When you need Sturridge to perform, you can't rely on him.

"To compare him to someone like (Harry) Kane at Tottenham, when he came back from injury and Tottenham were struggling, he came back 80 per cent fit but started scoring immediately.

"He can lead that team. When they need someone, he will produce. Liverpool can't rely on Sturridge in the same way and that's been really proven this week."

Liverpool's slump in recent weeks has seen them fall from second to fourth in the Premier League table and they are now 10 points behind leaders Chelsea.

Oliver Holt, chief sports writer at the Mail on Sunday, believes their new position is a more accurate reflection of their qualities.

He said: "They've a thinner squad than the other leading contenders. Klopp's desperately trying to manage that with the way he rested players.

"They're missing Mane but you can't blame it just on one player not being there. The main issue, for me, is it's a question of perception and I think Liverpool are in a better place than they should be.

"I think they're overachieving and they've just had a bad week. I thought they were coming from too far back in terms of the squad and development of it under Klopp.

"They took the league by storm a little bit this year, partly because of the energy and tactics Klopp transmitted to the squad.

"I don't think they've been found out but people have adapted to their style a little bit and they're entering the new phase of their season.

"I think it was inevitable there would be a slowing down. To me, their target this season is to finish in the top four and that would represent huge progress if they were to do that.

"The fact they started so fast and so well and now they're dropping back means people are asking questions but Klopp has had a hugely positive effect on Liverpool and will continue to do so.

"It is really tight at the top and I think it will be a struggle for them to finish in the top four but I think they can do it."