• FA Cup

'Natural' Sturridge one of the best - Rodgers

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge can break a 90-year club record if he scores at Arsenal on Sunday - and manager Brendan Rodgers has hailed his hitman as one of the best finishers in the Premier League.

Sturridge has already equalled the Reds record of scoring in eight games in a row, set by Dick Forshaw in 1924 and matched more recently by John Aldridge, and will make it his own should he find the net in the the FA Cup fifth round tie at the Emirates.

And, speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Rodgers hailed his in-form forward.

"Daniel's form has been terrific," he said. "He has a natural instinct for the goal. I've seen that in him since he was a young player.

"His eyes light up when he's within 30 yards of the goal. He has an instinct to get in there and normally he finishes. He is outstanding in one-on-one situations, and he's up there with Luis Suarez as the best finisher in the league.

"Daniel is always a real threat. He knows what's most important is the team and it's his job to get goals for the team. What Daniel has shown over the past year or so playing regularly is that if he can maintain his fitness and get on the field regularly then he will score goals it's as simple as that."

But Rodgers still thinks there is more to come from the 24-year-old.

"I still think he can get more goals," he added. "I think he can get into other areas which allow him to arrive in more positions to score.

"Daniel is still so young and has many years ahead of him. We try to encourage all players who come here - irrespective of age and where they are in their career - to learn and improve.

"It gives me great pride as a coach when I see individuals develop. You bring them here as part of the team but individually they all want to be better.

"Daniel is just one example of that. Lots of players have made improvements - the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Martin Skrtel.

"You've got Luis who has gone to world class level. Look at Steven Gerrard and his game now and the role he's playing.

"When you bring it all together into a cohesive unit you get a really exciting team."

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