Rodgers calls for patience with Sturridge

Brendan Rodgers says it will take time for Daniel Sturridge to return to the level of form he showed last season.

The 25-year-old is back in full training, having last featured for the Reds on August 31 in the 3-0 win at Tottenham.

The England international has suffered three consecutive injuries in that time, and Rodgers has refused to put a date on his return to first team action.

However, the Northern Irishman has called on the Liverpool supporters to be patient with their talismanic goalscorer upon his return.

“It will take him time,” Rodgers commented. “First he has to get fit, generally. Fortunately enough his body allows him, he’s a naturally fit player.

“He proved that last year when he came back without much of a pre-season and did very well. But there’s match fitness, football fitness, so it will take a bit of time.

“Just having him on the field to begin with will be critical to the team because I think his threat is obvious. It’s the only way we will get him back up to speed.

“It’s been our job over the last number of months to find that solution for him.

“We have called in experts from different parts of the world, so we are hoping it will allow him to stay fit for longer and a more consistent period. Let’s hope that will be the case.

“You look at when he first came here for half a season, and the next, and that was the first time he had been playing consistent, regular football. Mechanically, that has meant he’s picked up injuries.

“But hopefully in future all the work we have done, and all he will have learned, means we will support him, keeping him fit and have him available for selection.”