The arrival of Sturridge for £12million from Chelsea earlier this month has posed questions of how Rodgers can accommodate both forwards.

But former Liverpool striker David Fairclough is convinced the duo, who were paired together in the second half of last Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford, have the quality to make it work.

“People get too strung up on formations,” said Fairclough. “However you want to play, whether it’s 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2, it’s a bit of a misnomer.

“A good player will always find a position in which to operate. Yes, you’ll always need someone who is more central, but the positions are never totally fixed.

“Look at Sunday’s game. I don’t think it was 4-4-2 in the second half, it was simply what was needed.

“Players were popping up all over the place; you didn’t see Sturridge or Suarez tied down.

“Suarez and Sturridge will be able to make it work. They are good players, and you could never have enough of them.

“In previous Liverpool teams, it was never said to Keegan or Toshack or to Dalglish or Rush that ‘you go in this position’. They just made it work. They played off instinct.

“Those were intelligent players and I’m sure Suarez and Sturridge are the same.”

Meanwhile, reports in Spain have linked Atletico Madrid with a summer move for Pepe Reina.

The La Liga side are seeking a replacement for Thibaut Courtois, who is currently on loan from Chelsea.

Reina’s father, Miguel, played for Atletico between 1973 and 1980 and appeared in the 1974 European Cup final.