Robbie Fowler suggests the departure of Luis Suarez and lengthy absences of Daniel Sturridge has hindered Liverpool this season.

Uruguay international Suarez netted 31 goals in the Premier League last term before moving to Barcelona in the summer while Sturridge, who has been restricted to just 12 appearances because of various injuries, scored 21 last season.

Without that free-scoring pair, the Reds have dropped from second to fifth on the league table and former star striker Fowler believes it is the main reason Brendan Rodgers' men have failed in 2014/15.

"Daniel Sturridge has not played as many games this year and they have missed his goals," he told Sky Sports News HQ.

"When you take away the Luis Suarez goals as well, they scored a lot of goals last season.

"Liverpool's leading goalscorer this year Raheem Sterling has only 11 goals and we are still in fifth place and trying to get into the Champions League. That shows how well we have done in other positions, other than the goals."