Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson believes that the Reds have made a mistake by overlooking Demba Ba and securing the services of Daniel Sturridge.

Ba made the switch from Newcastle United to Chelsea, while Sturridge left Stamford Bridge for a career revival on Merseyside but Lawrenson has questioned the England international's attitude.

"You know what you are getting with [Ba] and I think he is a really good player," Lawrenson writes in The Mirror. "I'd take him over Sturridge all day long.

"In fact, for the money that Chelsea have paid I think he is an absolute steal. I have no idea why Liverpool decided against Ba and went for Sturridge.

"My reservations with ­Sturridge centre around the fact that he has some growing up to do and I'm not sure whether he will be able to see the big picture on the pitch."

Both Ba and Sturridge scored on their debuts during their respective clubs' FA Cup third-round victories.