Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is eyeing a strong end to the season as he hopes that his recent injury problems are behind him.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a good start to his Reds career, netting five goals in his first seven games for the club, but a thigh injury in February stopped his goalscoring run.

He told the club's official website: "My fitness is fine. When I came back for the Tottenham game I trained for a couple of days prior to that. I didn't feel as sharp as I could have.

"I'm not making excuses for not performing as well as I'd have liked to have done. I'm glad the team won and I was happy to help the team.

"We've got nine games left and it's nine cup finals in my opinion. I'm hoping to remain fit and God willing I can for those nine games."

Liverpool play Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.