Rodgers: Cameo showed his class

The forward came off the bench against his former side and drew the Reds level soon after with a neat finish having earlier struck the post with a long-range effort.

It was Sturridge's cross that also set up Luis Suarez's injury-time equaliser in the 2-2 draw - and Rodgers was delighted with the impact he had on the contest.

The boss told his pre-Newcastle press conference: "He was outstanding when he came on. In the first half of the game we were too slow in our play, our movements weren't as dynamic as what they've been in a lot of games.

"The intensity in our game wasn't quite what it normally would have been. In the second half when he came on, he gave us a real threat - his pace and power were outstanding. He scored a goal which was a great finish and could have had two or three more.

"He's fitted into the football club really well. He missed a bit of training last week but if we can keep him fit and keep him out on the training field, he's got the potential to be a top European striker and that's hopefully something he can fulfil here at the club."

Sturridge made a dream start to his Liverpool career after completing a transfer from Chelsea in January, scoring in each of his first three games.

He's since added three further goals, though the No.15 has also spent time on the substitutes' bench in recent weeks.

Rodgers, however, has no qualms about Sturridge's ability to perform at a consistently high level.

The boss said: "The success for Daniel will be making sure we can get him out on the training field every day, and once he does that he's ready and prepared fully for the games.

"He's only been here a short time, but in the times he has trained and then gone out and played, he's shown he is one of the top strikers in the country.

"We're hoping we can maintain that training mentality. When he takes that into the games, he's a real, real threat for us."

Sturridge could be set to lead Liverpool's forward line in the remaining four matches of the season due to Luis Suarez's suspension.

Nonetheless, Rodgers insists it is the responsibility of everyone within the team to share the task of scoring goals - not just Sturridge.

He stated: "It's the team's responsibility. I said to the players the other day, whatever happens with Luis, there's a plan for him to make sure he's a part of the group and doesn't feel isolated. Of course, he can't play but there's a plan.

"There's also a plan going forward for the team - we have to keep progressing. That's about the team showing their solidarity on the field and making sure that one player doesn't feel that burden.

"It's really about the team's responsibility now to push on."

Newcastle United are next up for Liverpool in Saturday's teatime kick-off at St James's Park.

The Toon Army are currently in 16^th position in the Barclays Premier League - though Rodgers is well aware they have plenty of players who can pose a threat to the Reds.

"Alan and the team will be very disappointed with this season, having finished fifth last year," he said.

"But one thing we know is they've got quality - Cisse, Cabaye and Sissoko who has come in. The January window worked really, really well for Alan. They brought in some terrific players and that has given them a boost.

"We understand it will be a difficult game, but if we show the intensity we did in the second half [against Chelsea] when we played really, really well - and could have arguably gone on and won the game - we'll always back ourselves to get a good result."