Former Liverpool midfielder John Barnes has stated that the club must be patient with striker Daniel Sturridge following his latest injury setback.

The England international, who recently returned from knee and foot problems, has been ruled out of action again this week after picking up a hamstring strain.

Sturridge's injury problems have limited his game time under manager Jurgen Klopp, but Barnes has insisted that the club should ignore calls to sell the 26-year-old because he remains an important member of the side.

"You have to have some sympathy for him," Barnes told talkSPORT. "It must be very frustrating for him, as well as the club and the fans.

"He's one of our very important players and we need him. He, along with [Philippe] Coutinho, gives us that little bit of extra class. As to what the solution is, whether you give him four months off to get everything right, I just don't know.

"But because of his quality I don't think it's necessarily time to cut our losses with Sturridge. He's obviously still a great player and we need to keep our quality players at the club."

Sturridge has scored 44 goals in 74 appearances since joining Liverpool from Chelsea in January 2013.