The former Liverpool player and manager believes the hamstring and thigh problems that have repeatedly sidelined the England striker may be self-inflicted
Graeme Souness believes Daniel Sturridge's recurring injury problems are not a coincidence and says Liverpool must do more to address the root cause of his issues.
The England striker has struggled to stay fit on a consistent basis since joining the Reds from Chelsea in January 2012, with hamstring and thigh complaints repeatedly surfacing.
Sturridge made a brief comeback at the end of November but has not returned from what was described at the time as a minor setback after playing just three matches.
"Daniel Sturridge was injured a lot prior to Klopp's arrival," Souness, who played for and managed Liverpool, told Omnisport. "Sturridge should be the first name on the team sheet because he has great qualities, but he isn't.
"If he declares himself fit on a Monday and when you're writing the team out on Friday, you're not putting the number nine in because you know on a Saturday that Sturridge might not be fit [that's a problem].
"So instead of being the first name, he's going to be the last on the team sheet and it shouldn't be like that.
"I think they have run into a series of hamstring injuries which may have been self-inflicted, I think that's maybe something to look at. To have six or seven hamstring injuries all at the same time is not a coincidence."
Klopp enjoyed a positive start to life at Anfield after taking over in October but has since suffered from the kind of inconsistency that plagued his predecessor Brendan Rodgers.
Liverpool have secured a place in the League Cup final, however, and Souness is confident the German will eventually turn the club's fortunes around.
"I think he needs three to four transfer windows," the 62-year-old said. "He got the job because there was issues and the club wasn't going in the right direction, so he'll need the time to make adjustments.
"Transfer windows are big opportunities, apart from coaching every day of the week, bringing in fresh personnel in. He's had a good chance to look at what he's got and hasn't got, he'll know already who he wants to keep and is ready to let go.
"He's having a look at some of the youngsters as well, so in my book he's doing everything right."
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