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Emile Heskey has backed Daniel Sturridge to bounce back from a torrid season and fire Liverpool into Premier League title contention.

Sturridge started just seven top-flight matches last season as he failed to hold down a place in Jurgen Klopp's team.

German boss Klopp preferred a front line of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane as the Reds made the top four for the first time for only the second time in eight years.

But Heskey has called on Liverpool to keep hold of Sturridge and give him the platform to finally fulfil his potential next season.

(Image: Getty)

Asked what he made of the current front line, Heskey said: "I like it. I think that is one area that they possibly don't need to tinker with too much — but that is if they can keep hold of the likes of Daniel Sturridge."

Speaking in association with England’s official supermarket Lidl, Heskey added: "I think he has got plenty of ability.

"I have been very impressed with him for years, right from when he was a young lad at Manchester City.

"He has gone from strength to strength.

"The only thing that has troubled him are his injuries and whether he can be kept fit, but you can see that he is a massive, massive asset.

(Image: Andrew Powell)

"The manager went with Coutinho, Firmino and Mane, which is very dynamic, so he will find it difficult to get in.

"And then you have [Divock] Origi, who is another direct player."

Heskey believes that finding consistency in the squad will be more important than new signings heading into the next season.

Liverpool were second and just six points behind Chelsea at the turn of the year, but a winless January sent them spiralling down the table.

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Heskey said: "Up until Christmas, I still thought that they were title contenders.

"They just need that consistency and I don't see why they can't find it.

"With a bit of work from the manager they can get that consistency to mount a challenge at being champions."

(Image: Getty)

Heskey added: "At the end of the day, when you have a manager who shows so much passion on the sideline — kicking every ball with the players, feeling all the anger and all the pain — you know that he is in it for the right reason.

"He is one of us and it's nice to see that."

*Emile Heskey supports ‘Fuelling Footballers’, a campaign from Lidl, Official Supermarket of the England team, who have created eight healthy and affordable recipes with the FA chef to help parents fuel their children, with products from Lidl.