Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed that Daniel Sturridge can score the goals to get his side back into the Champions League places this season.

The Reds have struggled for consistency this term, winning six of their opening 17 matches to leave them 10th in the Premier League table.

Liverpool have been without England international Sturridge since August due to a thigh problem, and the frontman will spend Christmas in the United States to work with specialists.

When asked if his side can still finish in the top four, Rodgers told the Daily Telegraph: "Yes, absolutely. It is always going to be a big challenge and of course we have to make up points, but we have shown that this is a club that can go on a run of games.

"In the second half of last season, we went on a run of 11 wins and the most important thing is the confidence. Bring Sturridge back in January and we can get back to being that team.

"His rehab has been done in Los Angeles and he is now going to Boston and he will move on to a specialist facility there. Hopefully in the early part of the New Year, he will be back. At some point in January, we will get him back."

Sturridge scored 21 goals in 29 league appearances for Liverpool last season.