Daniel Sturridge not the same player since Luis Suarez left Liverpool, says Jamie Carragher

The Englishman scored 22 league goals in the 2013/14 season, when Liverpool came close to winning the domestic title with Suarez in the side, but he has failed to recreate that form since

Monday 02 October 2017 11:10

(Getty)

Daniel Sturridge has not been the same player since Luis Suarez left Liverpool in 2014, according to Jamie Carragher.

The Englishman scored 22 league goals from 29 goals in the 2013/14 season, when Liverpool came close to winning the domestic title with Suarez in the side, but he has failed to recreate that form since.

With injuries and confidence hampering his performances, Sturridge has never taken his league tally into double figures in a single season after the Uruguayan last more than three years ago.

Newcastle vs Liverpool player ratings

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1/22Newcastle vs Liverpool player ratings

Could be disappointed to concede at the near post in the first half. Made a string of good saves when one-on-one.

Getty

His pace got Newcastle out of some sticky situations.

Another commanding performance for Newcastle’s captain who is growing in confidence with every game played.

May have cost his team with a sliced clearance and was relieved to see Sturridge’s shot saved.

Gave away an unnecessary freekick on the edge of the box but nothing came of it.

Played a great through ball to Joselu for his goal. Dictated play and was Newcastle’s best player on the pitch.

Received a warm applause when he came off in the 75th minute after a decent shift.

Had Moreno twisting and turning but was unable to produce any chances.

Looked a little isolated whenever he got the ball, his hold-up play was less than satisfactory.

Made a few nice runs but had no luck going forward.

Latched onto Shelvey’s pass and almost fluffed a one-on-one chance but got lucky when Matip deflected the ball off him and in.

Had no noteworthy involvement after picking the ball out of his net in the first half.

Booked for a very careless tackle in the second half, quiet otherwise.

Also guilty of switching and tried to recover but tackled the ball off Joselu and into the net.

Missed a sitter in the first half and switched off when Shelvey set up Joselu.

Was not busy in defence and couldn’t get going in the final third.

Hit the post in the first half, still searching for that first away goal.

Quiet on the pitch and in the stands. Surprisingly no boos for the former Sunderland player who played a supporting role.

Scored another stunning goal from outside the area. Liverpool are showing why the were so desperate to keep him.

Starting to look like a great signing by Jurgen Klopp. His pace and desire is a perfect match for Liverpool.

Was given the nod over Roberto Firmino and may have blown his chance. Had several great chances to score and wasted them all.

Was uncharacteristically quiet and was not able to get involved as much as he would have liked.

This season, Sturridge has score once from his seven appearances in all competitions, and Carraghers believes the forward is missing the influence of Suarez.

"Because he doesn't play much now, whenever we talk about Sturridge we keep going back to that season when Liverpool nearly won the league - he was devastating with Luis Suarez,” he told Sky Sports.

"I don't think that player is there now, whether that's due to injuries or not playing enough.

“The reason he played [against Newcastle] is because Roberto Firmino is not playing well.

“If Firmino is playing his normal level, then Sturridge doesn't play. Klopp doesn't fancy Sturridge, that's why he doesn't play."

Carragher was speaking after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle where Jurgen Klopp’s men dropped a further two points to add to their disappointing start to the season.

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