LISTEN: ‘Daniel Sturridge is BETTER than a good impact player – it was just a bad day at the office!’ – Emile Heskey
Emile Heskey insists Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is more than just a good impact player, saying his poor performance against Southampton was just a bad day at the office.
Jurgen Klopp handed the Reds frontman a chance to impress by naming him in the starting line-up in Wednesday night’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg at St Mary’s.
But the striker was far from his best, with Liverpool mustering just one clear chance as the Saints claimed a 1-0 advantage ahead of their trip to Anfield.
Sturridge has been a bit-part player under Klopp and has started just seven games all season, scoring six goals.
But former Reds frontman Heskey has backed the out-of-form England international, and admitted the rest of the Liverpool team were as poor, if not worse, against the south coast side.
Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, Heskey said: “He’s definitely better [than just a good impact player].
“You do have certain nights where things don’t go your way, when you’re waiting for your chance to prove yourself but it’s just not working. It’s was one of those nights for Daniel.
“I’m not saying he’s a bad player - everyone knows that he can create. He’s one of those magicians who can create things from nothing, but it just wasn’t his night last night.
“It wasn’t just him - defensively Liverpool were all over the place too.
“But at the end of the day I think they’ll be going away pretty happy that Southampton scored just the one goal.”
The Reds had a number of key stars missing for the clash, with Sadio Mane at the Africa Cup of Nations, Joel Matip out injured and Philippe Coutinho only just returning from an eight-week absence.
But ex-striker Heskey believes Jurgen Klopp missed the influence of captain Jordan Henderson the most.
“Jordan has grown into the captain’s role and the leaders role,” the former England international added.
“You have certain players that when they’re on the pitch you have this feeling that everything’s going to be ok.
“We had it with Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen - even when things are going bad for you, you know they’re going to be the ones to dig you out of a hole and do something.
“Liverpool didn’t have that last night, but that’s what they have with Henderson.”
Listen to the full interview with Emile Heskey on talkSPORT above!