Jason Puncheon: 'Luis Suarez's exit has been key to Liverpool struggles'

Crystal Palace winger Jason Puncheon has claimed that Luis Suarez's exit has been key behind Liverpool's lack of goals this term.

Suarez scored 31 times for the Reds last season as Brendan Rodgers's men finished runners-up in the Premier League, plundering over 100 goals throughout the campaign.

However, Rodgers's side have struggled this term, netting just 47 times, and Puncheon believes that Suarez's move to Barcelona has been the fundamental reason for the drop.

"Losing Luis Suarez was obviously a big factor [behind the lack of goals]," he told Sky Sports News.

"But not only [his goals] his connection with Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling meant a lot of points as well."

The Reds were held to a goalless draw by West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on Saturday.