The former Chelsea striker is delighted to have won his first game back after injuring his ankle on November 23 and is keen to continue his partnership with Luis Suarez

Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge is thrilled to have marked his return from six weeks on the sidelines with a goal in Sunday’s 5-3 victory over Stoke City.

The England international returned from an ankle injury – sustained in the Merseyside derby on November 23 – by coming off the bench in the 66th minute and he assisted Luis Suarez before adding the Reds’ fifth.

Brendan Rodgers’s side moved to fourth in the Premier League with the victory and Sturridge is excited at being back on the pitch after the lay-off.

“I’m delighted with the result for the boys,” the 24-year-old told the Liverpool Echo. “It’s a difficult place to come and play and we showed a lot of character so we’re very happy with the result.

“Being out of the fold has been very hard for me mentally but it’s also good that we’ve been getting results and working very hard as a team.

“It’s very hard when you’re on the side, watching a team, and you want to be involved in the fun and be out there. I’m just happy that we’re up there within touching distance and we’re in the top four. It’s great to be a part of it.”

The return to action also meant the restoration of Sturridge’s much-heralded strike partnership with Suarez – with the duo scoring 23 league goals between them this season – and the former Chelsea man is excited about adding more to the tally.

“It’s very special for me, he’s a world-class player,” the Englishman enthused.

“We’ve got other world-class players out there and it’s important that, as a team and a unit, we keep working hard, take each game as it comes and try to get maximum points in every game we play.”

The Northern Irishman is short of bodies in defence due to injuries and admits he would like to bolster his squad this month, but only if the right players are available

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is keen to add to his squad in January, but only if the right player becomes available.

Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge both made goalscoring returns from injury in Liverpool’s 5-3 win over Stoke City on Sunday to boost Rodgers’ options.

However, the Northern Irishman has defensive concerns due to injuries to Jon Flanagan, Jose Enrique, Daniel Agger and Sebastian Coates.

Rodgers admitted he was watching the transfer market closely and would make a move if a suitable target became available.

“We’ll see what’s available, there’s nothing at this moment in time but we’ll see how the market goes over the next few weeks,” he told reporters.

“I would still like to strengthen if I could. It’s something we would like to do, but only on the basis that there’s the right quality there that can strengthen us.

“We’ve got players coming back, [Mamadou] Sakho’s back in as well; he’ll be back next weekend.

“And the likes of Stevie and Daniel coming back is good news for us.”

Skipper Gerrard was relieved to secure victory in a thriller at the Britannia Stadium on a weekend that saw all the top-seven sides in action pick up maximum points. 

“It was great to be back with the lads and it’s all about the top four now – not personal achievements, goals or appearances. We just wanted to get back in that top four,” he told the club’s official website.

“Results went against us… and put even more pressure on us today to get a result, but the lads were fantastic.”

The skipper was on target for the Reds at the Britannia Stadium and says victory against the Potters was vital if his side are to secure Champions League football

Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool showed “tremendous character” in their 5-3 win at Stoke City, which bodes well for their chances of finishing in the top four.

The England international marked his 650th appearance for the Merseyside club with a goal from the penalty spot in a pulsating Premier League clash on Sunday.

Luis Suarez scored twice to take his tally to 22 goals in just 16 top-flight games this season, while Daniel Sturridge marked his return from injury with a goal as Liverpool secured their first league win at the Britannia Stadium.

The Reds let a 2-0 lead slip earlier in the game but Gerrard was impressed with the manner in which his team responded to Stoke’s fightback to secure the win, which ensured they regained fourth place from Everton.

“I thought we showed tremendous character,” the 33-year-old told Sky Sports. 

“For the first 40 minutes we controlled the game, were very comfortable and were 2-0 up – and then we made a couple of mistakes. It became a real tough game from then on.

“It was big because our record against Stoke in the Premier League is poor away from home, so we wanted to put that right.

“Today was all about the team performance and the three points, and it’s results like these we need if we want to finish in the top four.”

The England skipper was making his first start since returning from a hamstring injury, and he knew Liverpool could ill afford to drop points against Mark Hughes’ men.

“I was disappointed to get the hamstring injury, but it was great to be back with the lads and it’s all about the top four now – not personal achievements, goals or appearances. We just wanted to get back in that top four,” he added.

“Results went against us yesterday and put even more pressure on us today to get a result, but the lads were fantastic.”