Daniel Sturridge has fallen back in love with football, and he’s giving Liverpool the credit.

It’s just over a year since the England striker made his move from Chelsea but he has forged the Premier League’s most lethal strike partnership with Luis Suarez as Liverpool have made the most unlikely of title challenges, with Sturridge scoring 21 goals this season.

The success at Anfield is a far cry from his time at Chelsea where, following a move from Man City, he enjoyed little more than squad player status, often playing intermittently. Today’s game with Cardiff will see Sturridge make his 31st Premier League appearance for Liverpool, equaling the total he racked up at Chelsea in three and a half years.

"At Chelsea when Andre Villas-Boas was there and I played more - on the right wing mainly - and I was enjoying it. It wasn't about the position, it was about playing," Sturridge told Sky Sports.

"But then AVB got fired, Di Matteo got the job and I was out of the team again. I felt I couldn't sit on the bench any longer as I had got used to playing. I was enjoying the feeling of putting my kit on and being on the pitch. I lost my love for the game at that point because I was back at square one."

"I wanted to learn from Didier Drogba and Nico Anelka. I thought when Didier moved on, I would be next in line but it wasn't the case," Sturridge said.

The return of Liverpool as credible title challengers has been a surprise and their attacking football has made them the neutral’s choice in one of the most dramatic title races seen in years. Sturridge, however, is insisting the progress at the club is a long term project and people need to keep talk of title challenges in check.

"I thought we could challenge because I have always had belief in the teams I have played for. When I came here it was a dream to be involved in winning titles, but it's important everyone realises it is an ongoing process," he said.

"At the beginning of the season the aim was to get into the Champions League. Now we're getting towards the business end and we're up there, a lot of peoples' perception is that maybe we can win the league.

"There are others in a better position than us, it's going to be very difficult, but we will see what happens. The way the boys are playing and the confidence we have, the camaraderie, is something I have not been part of for a long time."