Klopp searches for answers to Sturridge quiz

different games.” Liverpool, however, do not have European commitments this season, so will not need to rotate as much as most rivals. And Mane, Firmino and Coutinho look a potent combination, not least for their ability to defend from the front.

Sturridge’s cause is unlikely to be helped by video circulating on social media after the match of him looking distinctly grumpy as Divock Origi came on ahead of him. The video prompted mixed reactions from Liverpool fans who appear divided between those who think his goalscoring demands his inclusion, and those who believe he is idle.

Klopp said: “When it was still 1-0, we needed someone to come on for the counter-attack, that’s Divock.” With Mauricio Pochettino also keen on his players pressing high up the pitch, this was

a frantic match with space at a premium. The Spurs boss also found himself being interrogated about a player absent from the line-up: the suspended Mousa Dembele. Without his supply, Harry Kane appears unable to score.

“Without Dembele, we do not exist, Tottenham does not exist,” said Pochettino, deadpan. “I’m joking, because it is a question that is difficult. We played against Liverpool and we need to show respect to the players that played.”

That Michel Vorm was the best of those said everything about Spurs’ display, though the stand-in keeper said he expects to be back on the bench as soon as Hugo Lloris is fit to return. Beaten only by Milner’s penalty, Vorm made a series of fine

saves and interceptions before Danny Rose levelled. “We have to be more ruthless,” said Milner. Sturridge, simmering on the bench, would have finished off some of the chances, but on the flip side the best, to Coutinho early on, was only created by the industry of Liverpool’s forwards.

Klopp will be asking himself whether it would even have been created with Sturridge on the pitch. The answer to that question may determine the 26-year-old’s future.

TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1):

Booked: Goal: NEXT UP: LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Booked: Goal: Referee:

JERMAIN DEFOE knows a thing or two about goalkeepers – sticking the ball past them is his speciality.

But he was the first to commiserate with 22-year-old Jordan Pickford after his shot at the man-of-the-match award went south with five minutes left.

The England Under-21 goalkeeper, a lifelong Sunderland fan, pounded the St Mary’s turf after allowing Jay Rodriguez’s 22-yard shot under his body for the late goal that denied the Black Cats a first win under David Moyes.

He was making only his third Premier League appearance after an elbow injury ruled out Vito Mannone for three months, and Defoe believes it was one to remember.

“Our keeper was brilliant,” said Defoe, who had put his side ahead from the spot. “He kept us in the game and was unfortunate for the goal.”

Moyes expects to sign another goalkeeper this week, but Joe Hart will not be considered as a long-term option for fear of blocking Pickford’s first-team path. “Part of it is what becomes available,” said Moyes. “People are throwing a thousand names at me of goalkeepers who would like to come. Some would probably see themselves as No1s.”

The Saints seemed to struggle making Claude Puel’s system work but right-back Cedric Soares said: “The lads are getting used to it all step by step.”

SOUTHAMPTON (4-1-2-1-2):