Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers appeared to cast doubt on Daniel Sturridge's status as the club's first-choice striker by admitting that the Reds need to buy a consistent goalscorer.

The England international has suffered an injury-hit season with the Merseysiders, having played in only 18 of their 52 matches this term, scoring just four league goals.

However, Rodgers has also suggested that Sturridge could be one of the world's best forwards, if he can regain full fitness.

He is quoted by The Guardian as saying: "He's not fit and once he can show that consistency and fitness, you can see in his performance level that it's a high one. But obviously he has missed a lot of the season so we need to assess it. Either way, if he's not available, we need to have that support.

"We have to hope with Daniel that this year was just an unlucky season and he can come back super-fit and super-strong because he has an immense talent. You can't argue with that. He can be as good as any striker in the world with his talent."

"I need one that is going to be playing and at a top level every week."

Sturridge will miss Liverpool's trip to West Bromwich Albion this weekend with a hip problem.