JAMIE CARRAGHER believes the arrival of Daniel Sturridge has given Liverpool’s attack the extra experience and strength they have lacked for much of the season.

Luis Suarez was the only senior striker available to Brendan Rodgers until Sturridge completed his £12million move from Chelsea earlier this month.

The England international marked his home debut and first Premier League start for the Anfield outfit with his third goal in as many games as Liverpool romped to a 5-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday.

Sturridge, starting alongside Suarez for the first time, also produced a sublime dummy to allow his new strike partner to score his landmark 20th goal of the season.

And Carragher said: “Daniel has done very well. He gives us a bit more pace and strength in attack.

“We have needed that experience and strength up there. He has a presence about him. It’s early days, but it looks a good decision to bring him in.

“He linked up really well with Luis. Luis was in a slightly deeper role against Norwich, but it doesn’t matter where he plays – he is a still a world class player.

“It was nice to have an extra body up there, you could see the difference it made when Daniel came on against United, and then we scored five against Norwich.

“With Luis coming from a deeper area, you still expect him to score goals and Daniel playing up top is also going to get goals.

“Bringing in a good player gives everyone a lift. It raises the standards all around. The other strikers have got to up their game to maybe displace him from the team.”

Sturridge’s goal made him the first Liverpool player to score in his first three games since Ray Kennedy in 1974.

And Carragher added: “If he does as well as Ray Kennedy then he will have done well. I’m sure Ray Kennedy didn’t do that stupid dance, though!

“It’s not just about goals, although obviously that’s an important thing for a striker. He has great mobility, movement and pace and has the strength to hold up the ball.

“You can’t expect a striker to score goals every week. He gives us pace to get in behind defences.”