Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers feels that his team’s new formation is tailor-made for Daniel Sturridge and the manager added that the striker will start flourishing once he hits his stride following his return to full fitness.

Sturridge was on the sidelines for five months after suffering back-to-back long term injuries and returned to first team action against West Ham United on 31st January, his first match since Liverpool’s August outing against Tottenham Hotspur.




The England international scored on his return against the Hammers in a 2-0 win for Liverpool, However, his only start since his injury return has been against Spurs on 10th February, as the Liverpool manager eases him back into action.

Rodgers has said that the striker’s first team appearances have been curtailed due to his lack of training games.
 


“Daniel is not fully fit yet and it is difficult for him because these are not training games for him to get fit”, Rodgers told he club site.

relatedNewsStory

In Sturridge’s absence, Liverpool’s tactical system has undergone a sea change as they have switched from a flat four-man defence to a 3-4-3. And the Northern Irishman insists that the England international is excited by the new system.

And it is just a matter of time before Sturridge lights up the team again.

“He's excited by the new system.

“Put a fully fit Daniel Sturridge into that system and he lights it up again.

“Come the end of this week Daniel will be on a great run and able to play every game and be able to train.”

Rodgers has been easing the 25-year-old iton his team reasoning that after a long injury layoff, rushing the striker into first team action could be detrimental to the his long-term fitness.

“The last thing we wanted to do was break him.

“He felt good on Sunday on the back of playing Thursday. He's very determined to play and when you see a fully fit Daniel, he will be brilliant.”

Don't bet on football until you've visited Inside Bet! Interesting markets, top tips, betting facts – get all the info before you bet.