The Reds manager believes the ex-Chelsea striker can gain from observing the Premier League’s leading scorer, who attracted more attention this week for an on-field incident

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that 23-year-old striker Daniel Sturridge can learn a lot from team-mate Luis Suarez, despite the controversy the Uruguayan creates.

The Premier League’s top goalscorer was caught in the midst of another on-field incident this week, as he appeared to hit Chile defender Gonzalo Jara.

However, Rodgers believes that the on-field talent of the striker compares favourably with that of any of the other great strikers the club have had in their ranks.

“For me the striker drives the train, and when you look at the history of this club, men like Ian Rush, Kenny Dalglish and Robbie Fowler worked incredibly hard,” the Liverpool boss told reporters.

“Luis does that too. He is a great leader, the way he presses up there. He has an absolutely amazing appetite for the game.

“Daniel’s only just come to the club and it’s a new way of working for him. But it’s so important because when you don’t have the pressure up top, the gaps open up.

“He’s only 23 and knows he needs to improve, but he’s a real receptive boy, and he can’t have anyone better to learn from than Luis.”