Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has explained the early substitution of Stewart Downing after the stalemate with West Ham United.

The winger was replaced by Danny Sturridge after 25 minutes having suffered a bout of sickness before the game.

Rodgers explained: "He took ill yesterday, but he wanted to give it a go. He's in good form at the moment.

"He took some tablets but when he was out there, he was very weak. When he came off you could see it in him that he wasn't feeling well."