Jurgen Klopp has been 'too harsh' on Daniel Sturridge, says Sunday Supplement panel

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been "too harsh" over injured striker Daniel Sturridge, journalist John Cross told the Sunday Supplement.

The Daily Mirror's chief football writer admits he has sympathy for the England international, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury suffered last month against Newcastle.

Klopp insists Sturridge won't play for Liverpool again until he has 10 days of uninterrupted training, something he has so far been unable to complete.

Cross believes the former Borussia Dortmund manager has been unfair on the striker, who has been plagued with a number of issues both this season and last, limiting him to just 16 starts for the Reds since the 2013/14 season.

Speaking on the Sunday Supplement, he said: "You can see from everything Klopp says that he's losing patience with Sturridge and I think it's become an unworkable dynamic.

"I think Klopp's been too harsh. If I was Daniel Sturridge right now, I would be thinking: 'Where am I now, because I can't see a future at Liverpool?'

"If he's injured, he's injured. When you have a serious injury, when you come back there are going to be knock-on effects.

"He's got a hamstring injury which is a knock-on effect of being out for so long. I have got some sympathy with the player."

By contrast, Sunday Express journalist John Richardson was more critical of Sturridge and claims a decision has already been taken on whether he is in Klopp's plans for next season.

Asked what Liverpool do with Sturridge, Richardson said: "They sell him. He's not going to do it. 

"We all know he's a top player. I'm not knocking him because some people have a higher pain threshold. He obviously has a lower one but at times he should push himself.

"He's got a fantastic opportunity. He's got the European Championships to aim at in the summer. At the moment, he's not going to be there because he's not playing enough games.

"At times you have to play, not when you are injured, but when you have a few aches and pains. That's life as a footballer.

"He's not prepared to do that and I know that he will not be in Klopp's plans next season."

While Klopp appears to be losing patience, Cross thinks Roy Hodgson will be more forgiving when he considers his options for England's squad at Euro 2016.

He added: "I think Roy Hodgson will make special cases for two players and there'll be Sturridge and (Jack) Wilshere.

"I think Sturridge is by far and away the most naturally talented centre-forward and then I also think he'll give Wilshere time.

"I don't know how long he'll push it but for England's sake, they are the sort of players you need to give as much time as possible to."