‘Daniel Sturridge & Luis Suarez vital to Liverpool’s top four bid’

John Aldridge believes Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez are crucial to Liverpool’s chances of finishing in the top four this season.

The Uruguay international scored twice at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday, before Sturridge netted on his return from injury to seal a 5-3 victory over Stoke City.

We’re lucky to have two strikers who are so prolific in front of goal

John Aldridge

Suarez has scored 22 goals in 16 top-flight games this season, whilst Sturridge, who was sidelined for six weeks with an ankle injury, has 12 Premier League goals to his name.

And former Reds forward Aldridge emphasised the importance of the duo in the Merseyside club’s bid to secure a much-anticipated return to the Champions League next term.

“If Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez stay fit between now and May Liverpool will have a wonderful chance of finishing in the top four,” Aldridge wrote in his Liverpool Echo column.

“What an impact Sturridge made after coming off the bench at Stoke on Sunday. He looked so sharp and so hungry. It was hard to believe he hadn’t kicked a ball in anger for six weeks.

“Having him back available for the second half of the season is a huge boost. Hopefully he can replicate the form he showed when he arrived from Chelsea last January.

“The pass for Suarez’s second goal on Sunday was brilliant. It was great awareness from Sturridge and he put it perfectly into his path.

“Suarez then returned the compliment for Sturridge to wrap up the points late on. The way they linked up was sensational.

“We’re lucky to have two strikers who are so prolific in front of goal. It means we have the ability to win games even when we’re not at our best.”