Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has been told to ‘shut up and play football’ by Rio Ferdinand.
The England international made no secret of his displeasure at finding himself deployed in a wider role by Jurgen Klopp at the beginning of this season.
Sturridge has regularly endured injury-plagued spells since his 2013 move to Anfield but Ferdinand has backed him to fight for his future with the Reds.
However the Manchester United legend refused to sugar-coat his words about what is required of the former Chelsea marksman to silence his critics.
“He needs to get fit. He needs to maintain fitness,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.
“It’s alright getting fit and playing a game or two and scoring a goal or two but then missing five or six games. You can’t be discontent as a player.
“You have to be happy to be back in the team and playing where you’re put. Until you’ve played and scored in a number of games in that position, then you can say you want to play here or there.
“Until then, shut up and play football.”