Brendan Rodgers will be looking for a consistent proven goalscorer in the summer

Brendan Rodgers has struggled to find a viable striking option for his team

Daniel Sturridge has featured in only 14 of Liverpool’s 52 games in all competitions scoring 5 goals and making a single assist. They are figures that cut a stark contrast to his figures from last season – 29 appearances, 21 goals and 7 assists.

Having sold Luis Suarez last summer to Barcelona, Liverpool’s gamble in signing Mario Balotelli to replace him did not pay off. Further, Sturridge’s injury problems landed Brendan Rodgers a position that has reflected in Liverpool’s issues in front of goal this time around – scoring a measly 47 goals Premier League goals in comparison to 101 last season.

When queried on Sturridge’s position as main striker for the Reds next season, Rodgers said, “He’s not fit and once he can show that consistency and fitness, you can see in his performance level that it’s a high one. But obviously he has missed a lot of the season so we need to assess it. Either way, if he’s not available, we need to have that support.”

Rodgers went on to praise Sturridge’s talent but said he has been “unlucky” this season and hopes that the frontman can come back “super-strong”.

However, the Liverpool manager adds, “I need one [striker] that is going to be playing and at a top level every week.”

“We haven’t scored enough goals this year. If the sequence goes on we are on course to be around 60 goals down on last year. That’s a huge amount. I came in the season before and we had 49 goals, so you’re taking nearly a season of goals out of the team.

“It’s simple, we need more of a scoring threat. We missed it immensely this year and obviously that has affected results. I think what the players have done to arrive where we have is credit to them without that. So in the summer we have to try and find goals again. We looked last summer and certainly will again this summer. If we do that we have an opportunity again for next season to be like our second year.”

Brendan Rodgers takes Liverpool to the Hawthorns later today with the 20-year-old Raheem Sterling as the Reds’ top scorer this season. None of their strikers have fired this season leading to added responsibility on the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho.

Rodgers will have to play this season out with the resources he has, but recognises the need for a consistent striker among Liverpool’s ranks. Speaking on proven goalscorers, Rodgers said, “They are not easy to find, but that is our job. We have to find a way to attract them here. However long I am here or not, Liverpool is a huge attraction for any player so that’s something we will fight hard to do in the summer.

“It can make a huge difference. If you look at teams who are successful they will have that consistent striker and what that gives the rest of team is crucial. You saw it here with Suarez – the impact that kind of striker can have.