Sturridge has become as much of an enigma as the ineffective Mario Balotelli, with the former so frequently unavailable for significant games that he can no longer be relied upon to be Liverpool’s first-choice striker. With Balotelli certain to be sold should a reasonable offer be made for him, Rodgers’ first priority in the summer is a new centre-forward. He will have to work on the assumption that Sturridge will miss as many key games next season as he has this year.