Kevin Keegan believes Liverpool have been naïve in thinking that they could simply replace Luis Suarez.

The Uruguayan left Anfield for Barcelona last summer and in his absence, the Reds fell from second to sixth on the Premier League table.

The oft-injured Daniel Sturridge and inexperienced Raheem Sterling were the player Brendan Rodgers attempted to fill the Suarez void with but former striker Keegan insist they are not the right options to cover the loss of such a player.

"With the greatest respect to the other Liverpool strikers, Luis Suarez was the main reason why Liverpool were doing so well," said Keegan.

"I don't say that out of disrespect to the other players, it's just a fact.

"So you take him out and then you are asking someone like Sturridge and someone as young as Sterling to step up to the plate.

"It's a big ask because they are not yet at the level of experience that Suarez has. He's 27/28, whilst they are still learning the game so it's difficult.

"When they say to you, 'right Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, you are our main man' then that's a bit different because then you are expected to be consistently good every single week."