Daniel Sturridge did not perform well in Liverpool's Capital One Cup final defeat, says Jamie Carragher

The former Reds defender also questioned why the England international did not a take a penalty in the shoot-out

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge (Getty Images)

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher criticised Daniel Sturridge’s performance for his old club during Sunday’s Capital One Cup final defeat against Manchester City.

Jurgen Klopp’s side lost on 3-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time, in which Philippe Coutinho’s late equaliser cancelled out Fernandinho’s opening goal.

Coutinho, Lucas Leiva and Adam Lallana all then failed to convert from 12 yards, with City’s second-choice goalkeeper Willy Caballero making three consecutive shoot-out saves.

Sturridge, who has endured a season blighted by injuries, was not selected as one of Liverpool’s first five penalty takers after failing to make much of an impact in the previous 120 minutes.

“[Daniel] Sturridge didn’t perform well. Liverpool need to keep him though as there are very few quality strikers out there,” Carragher said. “He is one of Liverpool's few real technical players.

“They can’t get the likes of a [Karim] Benzema. [Christian] Benteke cost £30million and he couldn’t even get on the pitch.”

Carragher, speaking in a punditry role on Sky Sports, questioned the decision to prefer a defensive-minded player like Lucas Leiva take a spot-kick over Sturridge.

Klopp later revealed that Sturridge, who looked particularly distraught after the defeat, was suffering from severe cramp by the end of the match and could not walk.

“He [Sturridge] looks upset,” Carragher noted. “He had cramps towards the end but unless he has an injury I don't see why he hasn't taken a penalty.

“I may be wrong, I don't know about going top heavy - I don't know why Lucas has taken the second penalty. Maybe it goes in order but sometimes you may not even get to the fifth penalty.

“You want your best penalty takers first, there’s no guarantee that everyone is going to score.”

The former centre-back also stressed the need to re-invest in the squad given that, Klopp’s appointment aside, it has been a season of few highlights at Anfield.

“A lot was riding on today as it's been a poor season,” he said. “Not just for the club, but for the manager. If he's to be successful then they've got to win trophies and this was his first shot at it.

“However, he's aware there are problems in this squad. There's not enough quality, they're not good enough,” said the former defender.

“Where they are in terms of the other teams and what they can win in terms of trophies, this is it. They're not good enough to win the Premier League or the Europa League. They have Manchester United next in that tournament so it will be like a Cup final.”