Graeme Souness has blamed Liverpool's stuttering start to the season on the sale of Luis Suarez.

The Reds have struggled in the Premier League as they are currently 14th in the table, while they also needed a late penalty from Steven Gerrard to defeat Ludogorets Razgrad in their Champions League opener.

Souness feels that Brendan Rodgers's side's lack of form has made success against Basel in their second match in Europe's top competition far from certain.

He told Sky Sports News: "They are missing Luis Suarez – and not just his goals. It's also the energy he brings to the team and the way he makes other people play. They are missing that and they need Daniel Sturridge back as quickly as possible.

"Prior to the Ludogorets game I would have backed them to get a result in Basel, but they are stuttering at the moment. They need Sturridge back, scoring goals, and that will lift the confidence right throughout the camp."

Liverpool face Basel in their clash later today.