Liverpool: Daniel Sturridge urged by David Fairclough to break psychological barrier and return from injury

Former Liverpool striker David Fairclough believes that Reds striker Daniel Sturridge has to show some determination and grit to come back into the Reds eleven after spending a major part of last season out on the sidelines. The England international is out yet again with a knock and the 58-year-old believes that it is time that Sturridge tries to play through the pain barrier.

The Reds have been struck with a series of injuries, with the likes of Joe Gomez and Danny Ings out for the season with anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Christian Benteke has just returned from a lay-off while Sturridge's absence has yet again constrained their options up front.

Jurgen Klopp, who has come in following the departure of Brendan Rodgers, has not had the chance to work with a full group of players, which has restricted his results on the pitch. The former Borussia Dortmund manager has drawn all three of his games in charge with an important game against Chelsea on the horizon this weekend.

Sturridge would add some much-needed quality into the frontline which has struggled to score goals but Fairclough believes that the 26-year-old's repeated tryst with setbacks has resulted in a psychological barrier which has made him risk-averse. "Daniel has real star quality but he has to work on his attitude and desire. Picking up these little knocks – surely from time to time they aren't as bad as first feared?" Fairclough told talkSPORT.

"Maybe the medical team offers players excuses because the modern footballer would not have gone through the pain barrier like older players did. You do have to be careful but sometimes you hope people show their grit and determination and put it aside to get out there," he added.

Sturridge was Liverpool's second highest goalscorer behind Luis Suarez in the 2013/14 season when they failed to win the title by a whisker, falling short by two points at the end.