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Matt Le Tissier believes Daniel Sturridge is lacking belief

Former footballer Matthew Le Tissier watches during the semi finals (Reuters)
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The Liverpool forward is lacking his best form at present.

Chelsea's Gary Cahill in action with Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge

Matt Le Tissier has told Sky Sports he believes Daniel Sturridge is lacking belief in his own fitness at present.

The striker has been beset by injuries over the last few years, managing just 80 appearances since joining the club in 2013.

He appears to be over those problems at present, having featured for England at Euro 2016 this summer and starred for Liverpool in their first five Premier League games.

Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge in action with Leicester City's Kasper Schmeichel and Christian Fuchs

However, he is not in his best form, recently struggling in the Reds’ 2-1 win over Chelsea on Friday evening, and Le Tissier believes that is down to the player not being 100% certain about his fitness.

“I don’t think it’s energy he lacks, I think it’s belief,” he told Sky Sports.

“He doesn’t seem to be believing that he is 100% fit and you can see it’s not quite happening. He’s not doing the things he was doing a couple of years ago when he had 100% confidence in his body.”

Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge

It remains to be seen if Sturridge can recapture his form for Liverpool at any point this season.

He will need to do so sooner rather than later, especially given the form that Roberto Firmino has shown in their five games so far.

The Brazilian has managed two goals and 14 key passes in four games, the latter of which is the best of any player at the club.

That form puts him as Liverpool’s first choice by far and Sturridge will have to up his game quickly to try to secure the striker position as his own.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp and Daniel Sturridge before the match