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Injuries threatening Sturridge's rise to the top

Daniel Sturridge has not played for Liverpool since the end of August © Getty Images

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Daniel Sturridge's chances of becoming a top European striker are being threatened by his injury problems, according to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

Sturridge, who has scored 32 goals in 46 appearances for the club since his £12 million move from Chelsea in January 2013, has not played for his club since the end of August.

The 25-year-old was struck down with a thigh injury while on England duty in early September, then suffered a calf problem in training on October 16, just as he was getting close to a comeback.

In his absence, Liverpool have struggled for form, winning two out of six Premier League matches, while Mario Balotelli has looked out-of-sorts as a replacement in the central striking role.

Sturridge is likely to be out of action until mid-November, which is of concern to Rodgers. The manager reportedly said: "He won't become a top European striker until he plays consistently.

"It doesn't matter about potential. You have to play. When Daniel comes back into the team, you will see the confidence because of the movement and the dynamic.

"But he isn't fit and he hasn't been for a long time. We just have to work without him and, while we are doing that, stay up and around the top end of the table."

Balotelli has scored just once in 11 games since his £16m move to Anfield from AC Milan in August, and had another frustrating afternoon on Saturday as Liverpool were held 0-0 at home by Hull in the Premier League.

He is set to make way for Rickie Lambert when Liverpool host Swansea in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday, although that change has been driven by Rodgers' desire to rotate his squad, as he did in the last round against Middlesbrough.

The manager said: "Rickie knew the role when he was coming into the club. But as a striker, you want that opportunity and I have said to him that when he has the chance to come, he has to grab it and be effective."

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