Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has heaped praise on his side's strike-partnership of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez.

Sturridge returned from a lengthy injury absence this afternoon and immediately rekindled his understanding with Suarez as both players set up a goal for the other on the way to a 5-3 win for Liverpool over Stoke City.

The duo have averaged a goal every 56 minutes between them so far this season, and Rodgers was particularly pleased with his side's final goal, which saw Suarez pick out Sturridge at the back post before the England striker finished at the second attempt.

"Daniel has pace and power on the counter-attack and both combined very well. Both are outstanding talents - you can see that from their link-up for both Luis' second goal and Dan's movement for Luis to play him in was exceptional in such a short space," PA quotes Rodgers as saying.

"Sturridge showed great skill and awareness to get up and have two touches to finish the game. To get the fifth goal here really shows that threat we have."

Liverpool moved back into the top four of the Premier League table with the victory, which was their first at Stoke for more than 29 years.