Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has backed Daniel Sturridge to prove that he is a "top striker" in the upcoming season.

Sturridge enjoyed a productive spell at Anfield following his January move last season and could be in line for an even bigger role next season due to the uncertainty over the future of Luis Suarez, who will miss the opening six games through suspension.

The England international recently returned from injury ahead of schedule, and Rodgers believes that he will make the most of his chance to lead the line during Suarez's absence.

"I think he is aware of the opportunity in front of him," The Guardian quotes Rodgers as saying. "There were maybe teething problems when he arrived in January but once he got his head around that and the demands of playing at a big club regularly, then he was terrific.

"He was in really good form at the end of last season, which got him called up for England, and it was unfortunate that he got a bad injury.

"But I can have no complaints at how he has worked. He is actually ahead of schedule coming back and I am sure that this season he can demonstrate that he is a top striker."

Sturridge scored 11 goals in 16 appearances for Liverpool at the end of last season.