Stephen Hunt: Shane Long better than all Liverpool strikers

Shane Long is better than any of the Liverpool strikers currently at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal, according to Stephen Hunt.

The Republic of Ireland striker is facing a battle for a first-team spot at Southampton after the Saints signed Charlie Austin in a £4m deal at the weekend.

Klopp started without a recognised striker for Liverpool’s Premier League games against Arsenal and Manchester United over the past week despite Christian Benteke being fully fit.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy laughed off talk of the 18-time English champions signing the Southampton striker on Monday afternoon.

However, Long’s former Reading and Republic of Ireland team-mate Hunt leapt to the defence of the 28-year-old striker, talking up the Saints man’s qualities.

Shane long is better than any Liverpool striker they have got,who knows if he is a Liverpool player until he gets the chance,if English mmmm

— stephen hunt (@stephenhunt1010) January 18, 2016

When one Twitter used asked if Hunt considered Long to be better than injured Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, the former Reading midfielder tweeted:

@buzzer_rowe10 if a english player ran away like shane did v Germany Jesus he be getting linked to Barca 😂😂 like sturridge but got to be fit

— stephen hunt (@stephenhunt1010) January 18, 2016

Long has scored five goals in 14 Premier League games so far this season, although the Irishman has only started nine top-flight games.

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Liverpool have scored eight goals in their last eight games in all competitions.