Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has praised the instant impact that Daniel Sturridge has had since overcoming his injury setback.

The England international spent five months on the sidelines before making a goalscoring return to action against West Ham United at the end of January.

Since then Sturridge has played an important role for the Reds as they continue their recent impressive form, and he even managed to find the net last time out against Crystal Palace to help secure a spot in the final eight of the FA Cup.

"Daniel comes in and straight away he looks as though he hasn't been away," Fowler is quoted as saying by The Express. "I sort of knew he would come back into the side firing, because I think back to the start of last year – he missed a lot of pre-season and came in and scored goals straight away, without having the pre-season training behind him

"His movement, touch and vision are very good. We're noticing the difference, when the ball gets to the box, we're a little bit more confident now of getting a shot away or making the keeper work.

"You're only as good as the team around you and we've got to give the other players a lot of credit as well. It's all well and good Daniel making the runs and movement, but you still need the players behind him to find the runs that he makes. Everyone is helping each other out; the fact that he has come in makes it a little bit easier for the lads behind him to find that pass or cross."

Sturridge scored 28 goals in 42 appearances for club and country last season.