Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says that the presence of striker Luis Suarez in his side will only make Daniel Sturridge a better player.

Suarez returned to action for Liverpool in midweek, after serving a ten-match ban for biting, in a Capital One Cup match against Manchester United.

However, despite the 1-0 loss to the Red Devils, Rodgers feels his team played well and that if Sturridge continues to play with Suarez that the England international will become an even better player.

“I think it will only improve him (Sturridge) and make him a better player. Good players want to play with other good players,” said Rodgers.

“I think you will see with how they will perform together that they can be a real threat.

“It is not something that Daniel or anyone else will be worried about. Their focus is on the team. It is my job to manage the dynamics and the structure of the team.

“We looked at a different system (3-5-2) the other night which would suit the players who were available and after a few days' preparation and then a performance like that at Old Trafford, it clearly showed we can work in that way if we want to.

“For Daniel and Luis, it worked really well. I have no worries about that.

“We have been able to work on real-game situations in training (during Suarez's suspension).

“There has been a lot of relationships which have been formed in training and the fluency of the team the other night was excellent.

“That will get better over time and of course, once they play in the games.”

Liverpool next take on Sunderland in a Barclays Premiership on Sunday.