Rodgers hopes rest on Sturridge return

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits the team are back in a period of transition but believes the imminent return of striker Daniel Sturridge will provide a huge boost.

Injuries have significantly restricted Rodgers’ options this season, particularly up front where the absence of Sturridge — who signed a new contract yesterday, and could feature against West Brom — with a thigh injury for a month, has left £16million summer signing Mario Balotelli isolated in more ways than one.

The Italy striker has scored just one goal, against Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets, since arriving and has struggled to reproduce the form he showed for Manchester City when he first came to the Premier League.