The former Chelsea striker replaces Stewart Downing in the starting XI to face the relegation-battling Royals, who have made four changes from the side that lost to Southampton

Brendan Rodgers makes one change from his side’s 0-0 draw with West Ham last week as Daniel Sturridge replaces Stewart Downing for Liverpool.

The former Middlesbrough and Aston Villa winger drops to the bench, with Sturridge partnering Premier League topscorer Luis Suarez upfront.

Jamie Carragher is once again preferred to Martin Skrtel, while Lucas Leiva – who signed a new contract earlier this week – is picked alongside Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard in midfield.

New Reading boss Nigel Adkins has made four changes to the side that were beaten 2-0 by Southampton last weekend.

Adam Federici and Hal Robson-Kanu are both out through injury, replaced by Alex McCarthy and Garath McCleary respectively.

Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak returns to the starting XI in place of Adam Le Fondre, while Hope Akpan loses out to Noel Hunt.

Reading: McCarthy; Gunter, Morrison, Mariappa, Kelly; Karacan, Guthrie; McAnuff, Hunt, McCleary; Pogrebnyak.

Subs: Taylor, Harte, Pearce, Carrico, Le Fondre, Blackman.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Lucas, Henderson, Gerrard; Sturridge, Suarez, Coutinho.

Subs: Jones, Assaidi, Downing, Coates, Suso, Shelvey, Skrtel.

The Liverpool manager has identified one of the outstanding German sides who have reached the Champions League semi-finals as the model for his own ambitions at Anfield

Brendan Rodgers has said a club does not have to spend £80 million in the summer to challenge Europe’s elite and cites Champions League semi-finalists Borussia Dortmund as a prime example.

Rodgers, 40, is beginning to turn Liverpool into a footballing force once more after totally revamping their style of play.

However, he admits there is not a bottomless pit of money at Anfield and that glory needs to be achieved on a budget.

“You can challenge without spending £80m in one summer,” Rodgers told Liverpool’s official website.

“Look at the example of Borussia Dortmund, a team that won the Champions League and then struggled financially. They went out and rebuilt and it took them four to five years to push on.

“Then they won the league and their European work suffered. This year you can see they have put their focus on Europe and they have lost their [domestic] title. That’s a team that has been growing over five years.”

Liverpool currently lie seventh place in the Premier League but, since Rodgers arrived at Anfield, it’s the football and the league position that he has strived to improve within the constraints of a budget.

“Unless you have got the Manchester City or Chelsea money and just bring in £70m-£80m worth in one summer to add to a Champions League-winning group, you need a different way.

“I think Dortmund’s is the best way because you are not just looking after the team but also the club. Of course, supporters will always look at the team but for me it’s bigger than that to have success. It’s about all aspects of the club so that when you do arrive you are in a strong position.

“It is the hardest step of all,” he added.

“Chelsea were sixth last year and look at the reinforcements they made to get back to that level again. Then look at Tottenham who were fourth and did not get into the Champions League on a technicality. They spent £50m just to stay in there.

“It’s a big ask, that’s the reality, but we can really push on next year.”

The veteran centre-back expects the Uruguayan hitman to remain at the club for the foreseeable future despite continued speculation linking him with a move away from Merseyside

Jamie Carragher believes that Luis Suarez will remain at Anfield despite mounting speculation that he is set to leave the club this summer.

Suarez, 26, has been in devastating form for Brendan Rodgers’ side this season and has already bagged 22 goals in the league for the club.

However, Carragher, who is retiring from the game after this campaign, believes that Suarez will remain at the club, despite the high probability that they won’t see Champions League football for at least another season.

“He [Suarez] is vital. He is one of the top players, not just in the Premier League, but in world football,” Carragher told Sky Sports News.

“We are desperate to keep him, I’m sure he will be staying, I think he loves it here and the fans love him.

“It would be a big surprise to me if he is not PFA Player of the Year. I think the Premier League has been good for him and he has been a star in the Premier League.”

Carragher also gave a positive assessment of the squad and insisted that Rodgers must look to improve it over the summer.

“It’s not just Suarez, we have got lots of top players and we want to keep hold of them all. That is important for the club.

“Where we are in the league, it’s important that we improve the squad and bring in some additions.”

Liverpool currently lie seventh in the table, nine points adrift of Tottenham, and face an away fixture at relegation-bound Reading this weekend.

“Where we are at the moment is not where we want to be and the club next season will be looking to strengthen.” Carragher added.