Rodgers: Sturridge will only get better
Brendan Rodgers has warned opposition defenders that Daniel Sturridge will become even more lethal in front of goal as he approaches the peak of his powers.
The Liverpool manager believes his No.15 has all the raw attributes to blossom into a truly world-class striker over the coming seasons.
Facts speak for themselves as far as the 24-year-old is concerned. Since walking through the doors at Melwood in January 2013, Sturridge has hit 29 goals in 36 games.
But it's the consistency levels that has impressed Rodgers most - from a debut strike against Mansfield Town to his latest finish against Arsenal at Anfield; goals have been in constant supply.
On Saturday, during the 5-1 Gunners thrashing, Sturridge made one of the best central-defensive pairings in the league, in Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, look tired and fragmented.
He opened his body to calmly fire Liverpool's fourth after 20 minutes, but he could have had another earlier in the match - and Rodgers insists the forward was disappointed he shot wide of the mark.
"He's a natural goalscorer," the boss told reporters gathered at Melwood. "I know he's disappointed that he had another opportunity to score with his chip.
"But he's a magnificent talent and I've always said that I think over the course of the next couple of years, he's got the chance to make himself a world-class striker.
"He knows what's required to be a world-class striker; the consistency and the quality you need. He's come into here and maybe he hasn't had that credit because he has consistently done it from the January when arrived.
"He will always get goals because of his talent. The beauty about it is he's still only 24 years of age. He's still got a lot of time before he arrives into his peak.
"That's been one of the highlights for me coming in here, seeing his development, both as a young player and then his maturity as a man. He's only going to get better, which is great."