The pundit believes that there is one attacking talent who has no place at Anfield anymore.
Striker-turned-pundit Tony Cascarino has told Radio City Talk that Daniel Sturridge has no place in Liverpool’s starting XI anymore as he does not suit their style of play and is not as technically gifted as his fellow attackers, as quoted by Inside Futbol.
Sturridge was a main man at Anfield under former manager Brendan Rodgers, but has struggled with fitness issues for much of the last two years.
He scored 13 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions last season after returning from injury, but this term under Jurgen Klopp, starting just five games.
He has found himself behind the likes of Roberto Firmino and Divock Origi in the Reds pecking order, and all four of his goals have come in the EFL Cup.
It has been suggested by several pundits that the main reason for his struggles has been that the 27-year-old is not the kind of striker Klopp wants to lead the line, and Cascarino has added his voice to those calls.
The former Republic of Ireland international told Radio City Talk, as quoted by Inside Futbol: “No, he doesn’t [suit Liverpool’s style]. It happens at football clubs these days. You have a manager who knows he is a good player but he thinks ‘I don’t want him, I don’t need that type of a player.’
“Daniel will go looking for the ball. He can’t really go looking for the ball when there are four number 10s because he then becomes the fifth one and there is no focal point in the team. I just think he doesn’t suit what Liverpool have to offer anymore.”
Cascarino went on to claim that the England man is not as gifted a player as the likes of Firmino, Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho, another factor which is preventing him making an impact this term.
He added: “Daniel isn’t as gifted as Coutinho, Firmino and Mane on the ball, and Adam Lallana. They are all technically better than him for me. Daniel has probably lost half-a-yard as well, he has had some long-term injuries. The type of player he is, I don’t think he will be a starter under Jurgen Klopp.”
It remains to be seen how the rest of Sturridge’s season will pan out, but things do not look particularly promising for the former Chelsea and Manchester City man at this stage.
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