Daniel Sturridge joined Liverpool from Chelsea in January Photo: The Sport Review

Daniel Sturridge believes he is under more pressure at Liverpool because the Reds are a bigger football club than Chelsea.

The 24-year-old striker, who has scored eight goals this season, has been a revelation since joining the Reds in a £12m deal from the west London side during the January transfer window.

Liverpool, who are currently second in the Premier League table ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside derby, are bidding to end a four-year absence from Europe’s premier club competition.

Asked whether the lack of Champions League football had played a part in his resurgence at the Reds, Sturridge told ESPNFC: “Definitely not.

“This club is more of a pressure cooker than Chelsea. [There] we were challenging for titles and the expectation from the fans and a lot of expensive players get bought and your fighting for your place.

“But I think as a club, [Liverpool] is bigger — the history of the club and the way the fans want success.”

Sturridge also lifted the lid on his working relationship with Brendan Rodgers after the Liverpool manager took a chance on the out-of-favour

Chelsea striker earlier this year.

“Because I respect him so much, I listen to him and I think he understands there’s more to come from me, and I should not be content with the success I’m having at the moment,” Sturridge added.