Liverpool legend John Aldridge believes the Reds would have been in the top four if Daniel Sturridge had been fit 50 per cent more often this season.
The striker, who marked his first Premier League start under Jurgen Klopp by scoring the opener in the 6-0 rout of Aston Villa yesterday, has struggled with injuries in the present campaign.
Although it was just Sturridge’s eighth appearance in all competitions this season, the England international has still managed to score five goals.
And Aldridge, whose former team are currently eighth in the Premier League with 38 points from 26 games, nine adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City, wants Liverpool to play Sturridge in their upcoming Europa League knockout tie with Augsburg and the League Cup final against the Citizens later in the month.
“If we'd had him fit 50 per cent more this season then we'd be in the top four”, he said on LFC TV, while discussing yesterday’s game.
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“Goals get you points. Play him on Thursday, play him in the final and see where it takes us.”
Sturridge, whose present deal with Liverpool runs until 2019, has thus far scored 46 goals in 75 appearances in all competitions for the Merseyside giants.
