SKRTEL BACKS STURRIDGE

Liverpool's January acquisition Daniel Sturridge is close to returning to first-team action, which is a good thing for the club according to the defender Martin Skrtel. The England international was signed from Chelsea for around £ 12 million in the summer.

He has already been a major influence on the team, as he has been able to form an incredible partnership with Luis Suarez almost immediately. However, he was recently absent for the match against West Brom due to an injury problem, but he is expected to be back for the match against Swansea during the weekend.

The 2-0 home defeat has made it imperative that Liverpool with a victory against Swansea. Liverpool also managed to lose the Europa league match against Zenit St Petersburg as well. As a result, there is real pressure on the team to get back to winning ways.

The return of Sturridge will be a major boost to the team according to Skrtel. The 23-year-old has already scored just five matches for Liverpool. He has also assisted in numerous goals for the team as well. Skrtel has recalled this fact by saying that the attacking strength of the team improves greatly when Sturridge is in the team. Suarez, Gerrard, and Sturridge are the main attacking threats of the team.

"I think in the games Daniel has started, he has shown his skills, his quality and his strengths. He's proved he can help the team and so I hope he will be back in the side for Swansea. With him our attacking strength is much higher. You can see that in the games he's played so far. He links with Luis Suarez and with Steven Gerrard and he is a real danger for every defender he faces. He will help us to get the three points," said Skrtel.