LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, October 25, 2016: Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring the first goal against Tottenham Hotspur during the Football League Cup 4th Round match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Legendary Liverpool pair plead for the Reds to keep hold of “fantastic” Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool legends Robbie Fowler and Ian Rush both hope Daniel Sturridge remains a Reds player, describing the striker as “fantastic.”

Sturridge has endured a frustrating season so far, with the 27-year-old struggling for playing time under Jurgen Klopp.

With Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino thriving as a first-choice front three, and Divock Origi returning to form, chances have been few and far between.

The England international is still looking for his first Premier League goal of the season, and he is currently out injured with a calf problem.

Despite Sturridge’s struggles, and reports linking him with a move away from Anfield, two genuine Liverpool legends have stood up for him.

Fowler and Rush have 529 goals between them for the Reds, so they know a thing or two about what makes a great striker.

The former says he is desperate Sturridge doesn’t move on to pastures new any time soon.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 19, 2016: Liverpool's substitute Daniel Sturridge warms-up during the FA Premier League match against Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

“He’s a Liverpool player because he’s here,” Fowler argued.

“The media have an influence but I don’t know why because when he does play he scores goals.

“I think the problem for Daniel is the players playing ahead of him are playing tremendous and scoring lots of goals.

Jurgen Klopp said last week that no players will be going so we’ll take his word for it.

“But look, a fit and firing Daniel Sturridge is top quality and we want top quality players at this club and we want him to remain.”

Rush, Liverpool’s top goalscorer in history, very much echoed Fowler’s sentiment, and says chances to shine will come his way this season.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, October 25, 2016: Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring the second goal against Tottenham Hotspur during the Football League Cup 4th Round match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

“For me he’s a major part for Liverpool football club,” said Rush.

“He’s probably the most gifted finisher we have. He’s a fantastic player, fantastic finisher and I’m sure when he’s fit he’ll make himself available.

“You’ve got Mane going away to the [Africa Cup of Nations] in January and I think Daniel Sturridge will play a major part in Liverpool’s run-in.”

Some of the criticism and vitriol that has come Sturridge’s way in 2016/17 has been nothing short of staggering.

Granted, he hasn’t found top form, and his style of play isn’t perfectly suited to Klopp’s, but he remains a fantastic footballer.

As Rush alludes to, there will be times Sturridge is needed, and as has so often been the case during his Reds career, there is every chance he will deliver.

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