Liverpool vs Tottenham: Daniel Sturridge 'needs to do it more often' to be one of world's best, says Jamie Redknapp

Sturridge returned to scoring form with a brace in Liverpool's EFL Cup fourth round win

Sturridge celebrates his second strike against Tottenham (Getty)

Jamie Redknapp has called on Daniel Sturridge to deliver on a consistent basis after his brace in Liverpool’s 2-1 EFL Cup fourth round win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.

Sturridge scored his first goals in six games at club level on either side of half-time before Vincent Janssen pulled one back from the penalty spot as Jürgen Klopp’s men booked their place in the quarter-finals.

The 27-year-old striker has struggled to hold down a regular place in Klopp’s starting line-up recently, with Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho providing stiff competition in forward positions.

Sturridge is yet to score a Premier League goal this season and despite an impressive showing on Tuesday night, Redknapp called on him to play well on a regular basis.

The former Liverpool midfielder told Sky Sports: “When the team was named he may have been thinking: ‘Really, have I got to play tonight when Firmino and Coutinho don't?’ But all you can do is what he's done tonight: play well, show a great attitude and score goals.

“He was a decisive player on the pitch. He's a special talent. We're talking about on him day one of the best forwards in the world, that's how good he is. He needs to do it more often.

He's a special talent. We're talking about on him day one of the best forwards in the world, that's how good he is.

&#13; <p>Jamie Redknapp</p>&#13;

“I look at him sometimes and he wants the ball to feet. I loved the second goal, because with his pace he's got to be running behind defenders. The game is sometimes a little too easy for him, when he wants the game to feet.”

Sturridge scored his first in the ninth minute after reacting first to a loose ball in Tottenham’s penalty area, nipping in ahead of goalkeeper Michel Vorm to notch from close range.

“He’s alive all the way through this move, he more than anyone else anticipates what's going to happen,” Redknapp said while analysing the strike.

“I was critical of the keeper at half-time. I don’t think he covers himself in glory but you can’t teach Sturridge's anticipation. Robbie Fowler, Ian Rush had that. They can just smell it.”

The second came after Sturridge was played through on goal by Georginio Wijnaldum. Again, the England striker won the battle of wits with Vorm, staring the ‘keeper down before applying a composed finish through his legs.

Despite his struggles in the league, Sturridge has now scored 10 goals in his last eight EFL Cup appearances and Klopp reserved special praise for him in his post-match press conference.

“He was good,” Klopp said. “He did what he has to do and he was brilliant. He could have scored three or maybe four, but I think he was really good and that is his big strength.

“He showed it at the end. He is a finisher, that’s his talent and I had no doubts about him, even when he wasn’t scoring.”