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Daniel Sturridge has praised the role of top sports psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters in the flying start he's made to his Liverpool FC career.

The £12million striker netted a stunning lob in Saturday's 4-1 thrashing of West Brom – his 21 goal in just 27 appearances for the Reds.

Peters, who is credited by cyclists Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton as the man behind their Olympic triumphs, has worked at Melwood for the past 12 months.

“Steve has helped a lot in terms of mindset,” Sturridge said.

“He’s all about self-belief: don’t go out there with the mentality of trying to do something, just let it happen.

“I saw Didier (Drogba) in Miami this summer. He said the strongest thing an individual footballer can have is the mental. It’s not about the tactical, it’s not about the technical, it’s not about the physical. If you believe in yourself, that will set you apart.”

Peters recently asked Sturridge to mark his Anfield career so far out of 10. The bad news for top flight defenders is that the 24-year-old insists his best is yet to come.

He said: “Steve told me to say high but I’ve never been one to be comfortable. I’m uncomfortable getting comfortable.

“I think, for my capacity as a footballer, I’d say a seven out of 10. Probably even six — I’m being kind to myself saying a seven. I can do a lot better than I’m doing now.”

Sturridge has always been his own harshest critic but a change of mindset, coupled with the faith shown in him by Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, has enabled him to flourish.

“I usually dwell on the bad points but I’ve learnt to appreciate the good,” he said. “My dad’s been surprised. I’ve been a certain way since I was seven — hard on myself and I hate losing.

“We only lost two tournaments, my school team, but I remember them like yesterday and don’t remember the wins. I’m talking under-9s. I gotta let it go!

“Even if I score three goals, I’ve probably had 10 chances, so should have scored five. I’ll never get complacent.

“I’ve been playing football a long time and the only thing that’s changed from when you’re 17 are the pressures, the crowd, the press. I’m the same kid I was before. I have the same abilities. I’m really happy how I’ve improved.

“Brendan has helped me tactically. He’s been hard on me at times but knows everyone’s games inside out. Off the field everybody gets along. You want to play for each other and die for each other on the field.

“Me and Luis (Suarez) haven’t played together long and we’re near enough always on opposite teams in training. There’s not much chance to learn each other’s moves but together we just click. We’ve not worked on it, it just happens.

“In Liverpool it's down-to-earth, hard-working people, just like where I grew up in Birmingham. My dad said it’s the same mentality. The passion for football’s unbelievable.

“People in the street know the game. Even the Everton fans, I haven’t had any abuse off them..... until I score against them in the derby!”