Brendan Rodgers has heaped praise on Daniel Sturridge, as the Liverpool striker stands on the verge of breaking a club goal scoring record.

The Liverpool manager said he sees Sturridge as “up there with Luis Suarez as the best finisher in the league” and spoke of Sturridge’s “natural instinct for goal.”

Sturridge will become the first player in the club history to score in 9 consecutive competitive games if he can score tomorrow against Arsenal. The record has stood for 90 years, with John Aldridge leveling it most recently.

"Daniel's form has been terrific," Rodgers told The Liverpool Echo.

"He has a natural instinct for the goal. I've seen that in him since he was a young player.

"His eyes light up when he's within 30 yards of the goal. He has an instinct to get in there and normally he finishes.

"He is outstanding in one v one situations, and he's up there with Luis Suarez as the best finisher in the league.

"Daniel is always a real threat. He knows what's most important is the team and it's his job to get goals for the team.

"What Daniel has shown over the past year or so playing regularly is that if he can maintain his fitness and get on the field regularly then he will score goals it's as simple as that."

Rodgers said he believes that Sutrridge has more to offer, and will continue to improve alongside Suarez as he matures as a player.

"I still think he can get more goals," he added.

"I think he can get into other areas which allow him to arrive in more positions to score.

"Daniel is still so young and has many years ahead of him. We try to encourage all players who come here - irrespective of age and where they are in their career - to learn and improve," Rodgers said.

The partnership between Sturridge and Suarez has driven Liverpool to within 4 points of the top of the league table, with both players scoring freely this season as they have struck up one of the most lethal pairings in Premier League history. Rodgers credited Suarez, and his influence, for raising the game of those around the team, including Sturridge:

"I think great players make others around them better," Rodgers said.

"It is that difference between good and great. You have great players like those two who give the team confidence and they also open up spaces for other and both are very talented.

"They are helping making other players better and that is what is making us, as a team, better.

"Luis has shown the true team player he is; we just do what's best for the team and that is what is asked of all the players.

"Luis will always get himself in those goalscoring positions because he roams and arrives in those areas.

"Daniel is better through the middle because of his pace and pace really hurts teams.

"Both are outstanding finishers but both are not asked to do any more than the others and that is the key to our success so far."