Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Daniel Sturridge has all the qualities to be one of the best strikers in the Barclays Premier League.
Sturridge showed his class with a moment of brilliance midway through the first half to secure a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa, receiving Jose Enrique's left-wing pass before dancing past two defenders, rounding Brad Guzan and transferring his balance to poke home with his left foot.
It is the second successive weekend in which the marksman has proved Liverpool's match-winner having fired the Merseyside outfit to a 1-0 opening-day win over Stoke.
Sturridge, fully fit after recovering from ankle injury sustained on England duty in May, found the net 11 times for the Reds over the second half of last season following his January move from Chelsea.
And, after two goals in two games this term in the absence of the suspended Luis Suarez, Rodgers feels Sturridge has what it takes to rank among the finest in England's top flight.
"Daniel is a player who I believe can prove when he's fit and playing that's he's one of the top strikers in the Premier League," he said.
"He's got all the attributes - he's super quick, got a wonderful touch, great movement and you see his finish and composure (for the goal).
"He just needed an opportunity, I'd seen enough of him, he's a young player who's had a couple of difficult moves but it's just about providing him with the opportunity and he's really grown into the club since arriving in January.
"His goals-to-game ratio is terrific so far and he just needs to keep working and keep his focus and he'll do very well, I'm sure."
A sharper Liverpool bossed the opening 40 minutes but a late flurry from the hosts at the end of the first half set the tone for a second period which Villa dominated and could well have taken a share of the spoils.
Source: PA
