Rodgers: This charming man
Brendan Rodgers considers new signing Daniel Sturridge to be a 'charming young man' and backed the 23-year-old to build on his hunger and fashion a successful career at Anfield.
Within two days of the January transfer window opening, the boss made Sturridge his first signing of the month - and was rewarded with a goal in each of the striker's two appearances to date.
And in a briefing with radio reporters on Thursday, the Northern Irishman discussed the appeal of bringing Sturridge to Liverpool and how quickly the former Chelsea man has settled into life on Merseyside.
"That's part of our job in bringing the right types of players in," explained the manager.
"You saw Joe Allen in his first three months - he settled in really easily. That was a big credit to his teammates and the club. But he also understood the way of working.
"Daniel is a player who will fit into that mould as well. It's going to take him time to really feel at ease, this will be his first time playing at Anfield - that's a special feeling.
"The supporters are brilliant here, they'll get behind him and they see already the threat that he can pose.
"I found him a real charming young man. I was aware of him beforehand and I think any frustrations or disappointments he's had [at other clubs] have purely been through the basis that he wasn't playing or getting an opportunity.
"You can understand that.
"He went there [Chelsea] as a 20-year-old and it was always going to be difficult for him to play. But since he's come in, he's mixed really well with the group - he knows a lot of the players anyway, which is good.
"He's very hungry to learn and if he continues along that route, I'm sure he'll have a successful career here."
Sturridge was introduced at half-time against Manchester United on Sunday and reduced the deficit for the Reds with an instinctive poacher's finish for his second Liverpool goal.
But it was the forward's combination play with 19-goal Luis Suarez which most excited supporters watching on - and Rodgers expects their link-up to improve even further.
He continued: "Top players can play with each other and I've got no doubt that Daniel will really flourish in his time here.
"In the second half [against United] the fluidity and the movement was good; first half, we were too tentative and we weren't aggressive or intense enough.
"But in the second half, we played much higher up the field, our pressure on the ball was better and we had good movement at the top end of the field.
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"When Daniel is on the shoulder and around the box, you've got the feeling he can get a goal.
"The partnership will take time to be totally co-ordinated, but I've seen it in training since both have been working together - and with the other players.
"They showed signs last week and hopefully it will only get better."
Liverpool have been comfortable winners on the last two occasions they have played Norwich - with Suarez bagging consecutive hat-tricks against the Canaries.
Having overcome a slow start to the campaign, Chris Hughton's side currently sit 12th in the Barclays Premier League and Rodgers called on his team to continue their recent home form to guarantee victory.
"They went on a very good run and beat some top teams, and then have been unfortunate in one or two games not to get the result," said the boss.
"Chris has done a terrific job because it wasn't easy for him going in after Paul [Lambert], who had been there for three seasons and done a brilliant job.
"After that early spell of games, he really got to work on the team and changed the structure of it. That hasn't been emphasised so much - he made tactical changes to make them harder to beat.
"It's a great credit to him and the work that he's done there.
"I know Norwich very well from my time at Swansea, when we came up from the Championship together.
"They've got great enthusiasm - players like Grant Holt have come into the top-flight late and are making up for lost time. Their effort and commitment, as well as their quality, is very high.
"But the concentration is very much on ourselves. We know that when we're at the top of our game, playing well and with intensity, we're hard to beat.
"The last two performances at home have been fantastic. Your home form is vital for you, and Anfield is a great place to play football.
"We know that every game is a tough game at this level, but in the last two home games we've been very good going forward and defensively strong. We're hoping for the same at the weekend."