'He's the type of player we needed'
Daniel Sturridge is the penalty box predator Liverpool have needed according to Mike Marsh, who has already noticed signs of a partnership between the Reds' new striker and top scorer Luis Suarez.
The 23-year-old, who switched to Anfield from Chelsea earlier this month, has struck on both of his appearances so far - notching against Mansfield and from the bench at Manchester United.
Marsh expects more to come from the No.15 once he achieves full fitness and revealed that Sturridge and Suarez are working well together in the former's initial training sessions.
"He's been excellent," Marsh told Liverpoolfc.com when quizzed about Sturridge.
"He only played a short period against Mansfield and was withdrawn last week.
"He's not up to full speed yet so we didn't want to start him against Manchester United.
"In and around the box, he's that type of player that we've needed for a while - Steven [Gerrard] had a shot that came back off the 'keeper and he's reacted first and scored a goal.
"We've had plenty of occasions this season where things like that have happened - people getting shots away and the 'keeper saved it - but they've managed to scramble it away because we haven't had that person who can anticipate it.
"It looks as if that's the case now and he's looking good.
"It's a very welcoming club, you're made very welcome early on so it's not difficult to settle in. The boys have given him a good welcome and he feels comfortable around the place - it looks as if he's enjoying the surroundings.
"They linked up really well. We haven't had a lot of time to prepare for games because we've had a lot of games lately.
"But they've had little bits in training where they've looked good together and as soon as they came on the pitch together they looked like they had a good understanding.
"We've only had Luis as an out-and-out striker since Fabio [Borini] broke his foot last year. He's come back, his rehab has gone well and now he's looking fit.
"We've got extra options up front.
"We would like to have more, we haven't got the biggest squad in the world and it's quite young. If we can strengthen it would be great; if not, we just battle on with what we've got and see where it takes us."
Having options throughout the squad naturally increases competition for places, and Marsh explained that a key aspect of his role is to maintain motivation among those sitting on the sidelines.
The first-team coach continued: "We've got a squad of 22/23 players so there are 12 who aren't starting on a regular basis.
"It's just trying to keep their chin up, stressing the importance of maintaining their fitness and sharpness because if they do get a chance, they're going to have to take it.
"I deal mainly with a lot of the players who aren't starting on a regular basis, trying to keep their effort and enthusiasm as high as it possibly can be.
"It's difficult when you get beat in any game. To get beat against Manchester United, the players are going to be down.
"But we've got good people who work at the football club, who try to pick them up, be enthusiastic and be as positive as we can be. The lads have responded well.
"We always talk as a collective group and on an individual basis. If we think any of the players would benefit from a one-to-one, we approach them. Or they approach you - it's an open-door policy.
"Often we have players who will ask for five or 10 minutes of your time just to discuss certain aspects of their game."
The Reds will attempt to put the defeat at Old Trafford behind them when Norwich travel to Merseyside this Saturday - with memories of a 5-2 victory over the Canaries earlier this season still fresh in the mind.
The East Anglians have improved since then, however, and Marsh warned the players not to repeat mistakes of the past.
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"They have really kicked on since we played them," he said of Norwich.
"I thought we were fantastic that day, we could have won the game a lot more comfortably than we did. But it was still a fantastic result. But they've had a great run of form since then.
"They've tailed off a little bit in recent weeks, but we know they're a good side with good players. We're expecting a tough game.
"Recent form will tell you we've played against sides who are down near the foot of the table and we've come a cropper once or twice when maybe we shouldn't have."