Liverpool are struggling to strike terms with Chelsea for Danny Sturridge.

The People says Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers desperately needs to add firepower to his squad when the transfer window reopens and Sturridge tops his wish-list.

But the 23-year-old will only be allowed to leave Chelsea if the club manage to bring in their own strike targets. And even if Chelsea do get their men, any Sturridge move north could be scuppered by the Chelsea bit-part player's demands for regular first-team football as a central striker and wages of £80,000 a week.

But Liverpool, who were prepared for a down-payment of £7million on a fee rising to £15m, will not consider such a salary - and had planned to field Sturridge on the flank.