Former coach defends injury-prone Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge amid growing pressure

STUART PEARCE has hit-out at the criticism of injury-plagued Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge.

 

Stuart Pearce has defended Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge

 

The 26-year-old has struggled with a series of injuries over the past 18 months and has made just four starts this season.

And his injury troubles have come under scrutiny in recent weeks, with former Reds midfielder Didi Hamann suggesting Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp need to front up on Sturridge's problems.

But Pearce, who worked with the forward while he was in charge of Manchester City, England's Under-21s and Great Britain’s Olympic team, has leapt to the defence of the England international. 

 

“I honestly don’t believe there’s a player out there that doesn’t want to play football,” Pearce told talkSPORT.

“I find it hard to believe, I really do.

“This is a profession I absolutely love to bits. I love playing football and it’s been my life. So I find it difficult to believe that there is a player out there.

 

"Especially a player I know quite well and have been alongside him on three different occasions.

“I don’t see that with him.

“I would not turn around and say Daniel Sturridge is a player that doesn’t like football - in any way, shape or form. 

“He loves the game, he’s enjoyed it and I think the one thing that puts Daniel Sturridge at the forefront of people’s mind because of this injury is the fact he is so important to Liverpool.”