The Reds defender has tipped his team-mate to provide more cutting edge when he makes his return from a hamstring injury to face Michael Laudrup’s men at Anfield

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel believes returning striker Daniel Sturridge will be key to his side’s bid for victory against Swansea on Sunday.

The 23-year-old missed Monday’s clash with West Brom due to a hamstring injury and was cup-tied for the trip to Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday – with both games ending in 2-0 defeats.

But, after manager Brendan Rodgers revealed that the former Chelsea man will back for the visit of the Swans, Skrtel has claimed his reintroduction is a big boost.

“I think in the games Daniel has started, he has shown his skills, his quality and his strengths,” the defender told the club’s official website.

“He’s proved he can help the team and so I hope he will be back in the side for Swansea.

“With him our attacking strength is much higher. You can see that in the games he’s played so far. He links with Luis Suarez and with Steven Gerrard and he is a real danger for every defender he faces. He will help us to get the three points.

“He’s a difficult player to mark, he’s a top striker and its difficult to play against him in training.”

Michael Laudrup’s men face Bradford in the Capital One Cup final a week after their trip to Anfield, but the Slovakia international does not think the visitors will be distracted.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s before or after the cup final because they have good experience in their team,” he added.

“It’s going to be tough and we know we have to do our best. After a few bad games, we have to show our quality and get the three points.”