Brendan Rodgers backs "big weapon" Daniel Sturridge to lift Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers has said that Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is a "big weapon" in the Reds' armoury and believes that his return will lift the team.

Sturridge has missed the club's last nine outings with a thigh injury in a period when Liverpool have struggled for consistency.

"Top players have such an influence on the team," Rodgers told The Express. "When you are under the cosh, you know that you have strikers who can score out of nothing.

"It is a big weapon. Sturridge is one of them. That is where we aim to get with Daniel."

The 25-year-old netted 24 times in all competitions last season and has struck once in his three Premier League outings so far.