Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is not banking on Daniel Sturridge showing his absolute best in the final seven matches of the season.

The 25-year old striker has made just 12 Premier League appearances this season due to various injuries and Rodgers feels it is unfair to place too much pressure on him as the Reds continue their fight for a top-four finish.

"I knew that when he was first coming back - it's a long time out," said Rodgers ahead of Monday night's home clash with Newcastle United.

"When you're out for that length of time it maybe takes you the same amount of time to get back again.

"The key for him was to get back and be fit but he needs a good pre-season under his belt, a total run at pre-season and hopefully he'll be fine for next season.

"Until that point we have to maximize what we can get out of him."

Rodgers added: "Every player's different. With Daniel there's been a number of injuries that he's had and that's before he came here.

"He just needs to find a way to physically and mentally try to keep himself as fit as he can but sometimes that isn't all down to you - sometimes it's about luck as well.

"We want to get as much out of him this season as we possibly could. I just felt that it wouldn't be until next season that he would be back to hopefully what he was last season."