‘Liverpool must allow Daniel Sturridge to frighten Everton’

Jan Molby believes Liverpool’s ability to find space for in-form Daniel Sturridge will be key to their chances of winning the Merseyside derby on Saturday.

The England international, who has scored eight Premier League goals this season, failed to find the net in a 4-0 rout against Fulham after hitting the woodwork in the second half.

Former Reds midfielder Molby feels Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez must create chances for the 24-year-old and allow the Englishman to “scare” Toffees duo Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin.

“The key task for Liverpool in tomorrow’s Merseyside derby is finding spaces on the pitch for Daniel Sturridge to punish Everton,” Molby wrote in his Liverpool Echo column.

“Largely that comes down to Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez. Sturridge had a frustrating afternoon against Fulham and he didn’t have a great game for England against Germany in midweek.

“He looked as though he was sulking when he walked off the pitch against Fulham.

“But he is so important for Liverpool this weekend.

“Sturridge needs to get in the positions where he can frighten the life out of Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin with his pace.

“I don’t want to be seeing him dropping deep and picking up the ball yards and yards from goal.

“When Suarez was out of the team, Daniel was having to do a lot of it on his own but not anymore.

“He can perverse his energy now and because he is so quick he needs to be playing on the shoulder.”