Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers backs Daniel Sturridge to prove a big hit at Anfield

Brendan Rodgers has backed new signing Daniel Sturridge to be a success at Liverpool.

The Reds boss made Sturridge his first signing of the year on Wednesday by paying Chelsea a reported £12m for the England star.

And having seen the 23-year-old play for Manchester City, Chelsea and Bolton in his short career so far, Rodgers believes Sturridge can now start to really make his name at Anfield.

He said: "I have every faith that over his time here he will prove a real hit and it gives us another attacking threat at the top end of the field.

"Daniel will learn off the top players who are here. We are bringing in a player who knows he has to perform if he wants to be at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"When he has played games, he has scored goals. He gives us that power, presence and mobility at the top end of the field and the biggest thing is hunger."

Sturridge, who has represented England at every level from the U16s to the Seniors, is a player that former Chelsea youth coach Rodgers has been aware of for a number of years.

But this will be the first time that he has directly worked with the Birmingham-born striker and he's hoping to help him progress in his career.

"He is a player that I've know since he was about 12 years of age," he added.

"He made his name as a youngster at Manchester City when he was one of the top young strikers in European football.

"You make a move as a young player and it is always going to be difficult, because what he is is a goalscorer and the only spell he's had that was at Bolton."