Former Liverpool defender Phil Babb does not believe Daniel Sturridge will be handed a start by Jurgen Klopp on Thursday night against Villarreal.
Klopp has made the Europa League a priority this season and the Reds will need to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit at Anfield in order to reach the final and give themselves a shot at winning the tournament to qualify for the Champions League.
The German handed Sturridge a start in Sunday's 3-1 defeat away at Swansea City, but Babb thinks that when Thursday night rolls around it may be Roberto Firmino who is leading the line.
Indeed, Babb feels that Klopp is unhappy with the lack of energy in Sturridge's game at present.
"It will be interesting to see who the manager starts with on Thursday. I have a feeling he's going to stick with Firmino because he likes him", Babb said on LFC TV following the Swansea game.
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"I just don't think he fancies the energy he's getting out of Daniel Sturridge at the moment.
"And then, you don't know what you're going to get with [Christian] Benteke.
"It's a tough call. I wouldn't like to be Jurgen picking that team sheet on Thursday."
Liverpool head towards Thursday's game knowing that winning the Europa League is their only way into the Champions League next season, something seen as a golden opportunity for Klopp to attract stars in the summer transfer window.
Villarreal warmed up for their trip to Anfield with a 2-0 win away at Valencia; the Yellow Submarines sit fourth in La Liga.
