Jurgen Klopp can’t trust Daniel Sturridge to be fit and available for Liverpool’s biggest games, according to Chris Sutton.
Sturridge made his first Premier League start since February on Sunday afternoon as the Reds made the trip to West Ham looking to secure three points to bolster their top-four challenge.
The England international justified his inclusion in the manager’s starting line-up with a first-half opener thanks to a composed finish.
Sturridge has now scored four times in six Premier League starts, while the 27-year-old has made a further 13 top-flight appearances from the bench.
The former Chelsea and Manchester City striker has been linked with a move to West Ham in the summer transfer window after struggling to tie down a regular starting spot under Klopp.
Sturridge has missed significant playing time over the past three seasons due to persistent injuries, which have stalled his Liverpool career.
Speaking to BBC Radio’s 606 podcast about Sturridge’s future at Liverpool under Klopp, former Chelsea striker Sutton said:
“Can you trust Daniel Sturridge to play enough games? That’s the big question mark.
“No-one doubts his talent but he doesn’t play enough. Jurgen Klopp can’t trust him. That’s an area.”
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Liverpool finished in eighth place in the Premier League last term.
The Reds are in third spot in the table with one game remaining in the 2016-17 season.