Hamann: Reds must be “honest and truthful” about Sturridge

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann says it’s time the club started being more honest with supporters about what’s going on with Daniel Sturridge.

The 26-year-old Liverpool striker remains ruled out of action and very little information is coming out of the club as to why that is.

Reds’ boss Jürgen Klopp confirmed today that Sturridge won’t be involved in tomorrow’s FA Cup tie with Exeter City after having “had a break in training because of some issues”.

Commenting on the situation, Didi told talkSPORT: “The club has got a responsibility to tell the paying public what is wrong with him.

“If he has got a hamstring injury, an ankle injury, or whatever he may have, the people who pay for a season ticket have got a right to know what is wrong with him.

“Judging by the way Jürgen Klopp answered his questions [when previewing the United game], I don’t think there is too much wrong with the player. If there is nothing wrong with him, it is more important to be honest and truthful with the paying public than to protect a player who has hardly played in the last 18 months, who seems to choose when he wants to play.

“He has got three years left on his contract and I don’t see any reason, if there is nothing wrong with the player, why the club should protect him.

“There was always something wrong with him on the Thursday or the Friday. His back, his hamstring, there was always something.

“If you look at his record since he has played professional football he probably doesn’t average half the games a season – and it has got worse at Liverpool. I am not saying he is pretending to be injured, I’m not sure. But if he is injured, say it. Nobody knows what is going on with him.

“People have spent £800 or £1000 to watch Liverpool at home and sometimes even away, and the star player is not playing and nobody knows where he is. If there isn’t a problem with him, then it is time to stop protecting the player.”