Brendan Rodgers backs Sturridge to propel Liverpool towards top-four finish

Daniel Sturridge believes that he is psychologically stronger for his injury torment and has been backed by his manager, Brendan Rodgers, to propel Liverpool towards a top-four finish.

Sturridge will make his long-awaited Liverpool comeback against West Ham United tomorrow after five months out due to a succession of injuries.

The striker scored once in three appearances at the start of the season but has not played since 31 August due to a thigh strain suffered while training with England, a calf injury collected on his return to training with Liverpool plus a second thigh problem in November .

“I am feeling very, very good,” said the England international. “I don’t know if I will play, that is how it is at Liverpool. I am just training hard.

“It has been very frustrating for myself but it has been a learning curve in terms of these experiences. They have allowed me to learn something new and for me [being out] has been great for the mental side of the game. I have improved that and now I am very, very anxious to get out there and play. I am champing at the bit.”

Rodgers believes his return will have a major bearing on the team’s form for the remainder of this campaign.

“There is no question his absence has had a huge impact on our season,” the Liverpool manager said. “You can trace it back to the Tottenham game and the reference he was for the team that day [when Liverpool won 3-0 at White Hart Lane]. He’s not played since.

“We had a tough run over Christmas and our idea was to be there or thereabouts by the end of January. With Daniel coming back we will be in a great position for the second half of the season.”

Balotelli staying put Meanwhile Mario Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola has

insisted the the struggling striker will not leave in the transfer window. “Balotelli is very disappointed with himself,” Raiola said. “He’s going through a bad time like he’s never had before. But the plan is for him to continue at Anfield.

“I told him: ‘You have a four-year contract and I will not send you away. You leave Liverpool at 60-70 million [euros], and I win my bet, or you will die there’. It’s the first time I have made a speech like that to a player. I’ve seen him quiet, changed, different from when he was at Milan.”

Raiola believes Balotelli has not been treated fairly by the media and says the former striker is “insecure”. “Of all the players I knew I’ve never met one forced to face the injustices suffered by Mario. The truth is that Mario is an insecure boy, and it’s down to his insecurity that maybe he does stupid things.” Guardian Service