Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has said that he is determined to help his side finish in the top four in the Premier League this season.

The Reds are currently fourth in the league table with 39 points from 20 matches, a point ahead of fifth-placed Merseyside rivals Everton.

"It would be great to secure a return to the Champions League," he told FourFourTwo. "It's four seasons since Liverpool were last in it and that's too long.

"[This season's Premier League is] unique with so many new managers trying to impose different ideas on their teams. There have been some shock results and it's a very interesting league right now.

"We had a good start and we want to build on that. Some say a lack of European football could help us and maybe that does give us a slight advantage in terms of freshness. I think it could benefit us in the long run and, God willing, we'll be up there in May."

Sturridge has resumed training after recovering from his ankle injury and could feature for Liverpool against Stoke City away from home in the Premier League on Sunday.