Daniel Sturridge has played just seven games this season due to injury

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is a "good kid" who is sometimes "misunderstood", according to his former team-mate Paul Dickov.

The former Scotland international has known Sturridge since he was a teenager at Manchester City and has offered his support to the injury-hit player.

Sturridge has played just seven times for Liverpool this season due to a series of physical problems, although he has still managed to score four times.

Daniel Sturridge is still targeting a place in England's squad for Euro 2016 Daniel Sturridge is still targeting a place in England's squad for Euro 2016

But with Reds manager Jurgen Klopp insisting the 26-year-old has a future at Anfield despite his lack of playing time, Dickov has been quick to back Sturridge, who he feels will also be affected by his inability to put together a run of games in the first team.

"I've known Daniel since he was a 16-year-old at Manchester City. He is a little bit misunderstood sometimes," Dickov told Sky Sports Now.

"He is a really good kid with a good attitude and he is desperate to do well. It will really hurt him as much as Liverpool that he is not playing too many games.

"Will somebody come in and get him in the summer? I can't see it because he is not spending enough time on the pitch at the minute.

He is a really good kid with a good attitude and he is desperate to do well. Paul Dickov on Daniel Sturridge

"Who is going to come in and buy him, because he is injured a lot?

"What he has to do now is go out between now and the end of the season and get a good run of games behind him and get his fitness back up to a level where it should be and look at being at Liverpool next year."

Watch Aston Villa v Liverpool as part of this weekend's Super Sunday triple bill. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 2pm.