Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has urged the club and manager Jurgen Klopp to 'stop protecting' injury-plagued striker Daniel Sturridge.

Hamann believes that the fans deserve to know why the England international has had a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

Sturridge has suffered various injuries this season, limiting him to just five appearances, but Klopp has given little indication as to what the root of the problem is and how long he expects to be without his striker.

Today, prior to Wednesday's FA Cup third-round replay against Exeter City, the German coach revealed that Sturridge has not trained with the team since December 6.

"The club has got a responsibility to tell the paying public what is wrong with him," Hamann told talkSPORT. "If he has got a hamstring injury, an ankle injury, or whatever he may have, the people who pay for a season ticket have got a right to know what is wrong with him.

"Judging by the way Jurgen Klopp answered his questions [ahead of the Manchester United game], I don't think there is too much wrong with the player. If there is nothing wrong with him, it is more important to be honest and truthful with the paying public than to protect a player who has hardly played in the last 18 months, who seems to choose when he wants to play.

"He has got three years left on his contract and I don't see any reason, if there is nothing wrong with the player, why the club should protect him."

Sturridge joined the Reds from Chelsea in 2013.