You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Jordan Henderson believes the presence of “world class” Daniel Sturridge in the Liverpool team strikes fear into opponents.

The Reds skipper says the injury-plagued England international, who marked his first league start since October by scoring in Sunday's 6-0 rout of Aston Villa, was hurt by suggestions that he lacked mental toughness as he sought to prove his fitness.

However, Henderson insists Sturridge is now looking to the future with relish and ready to torment defenders on a regular basis as he looks to spearhead Liverpool's push for Capital One Cup and Europa League glory.

“Studge makes a huge difference,” Henderson said.

“You can see in the games that he has played how much he has been missed.

“He has been brilliant since he has come back training and is looking really sharp. Hopefully he can continue to stay fit and cause problems when he plays.

“Everyone knows how good he is but because he has been out for a while, you do forget the quality he has got and how good he actually is.

“There are lads in training who maybe haven't seen that much of him and they have been very impressed. Then you look at him in the games with his movement. His sharpness is top drawer. He is a massive bonus for us.

“He definitely gives us that fear factor back. Any central defender playing against him will be wary. They know how quick he is, how sharp he is with the ball.

“He can cause anyone problems and I'm sure any centre-half in the world would be worried about coming up against him.”

Sturridge has been hampered by a succession of injury problems over the past two seasons. Since Luis Suarez wassold to Barcelona in the summer of 2014, Sturridge has started just 17 of the Reds' 99 fixtures.

The 26-year-old missed the start of this season after undergoing surgery on his hip. Soon after he returned he picked up a knee injury in training and then suffered a hamstring strain in December.

As a result he has started just twice since Jurgen Klopp took over – the 6-1 thrashing of Southampton and Sunday's 6-0 humiliation of Villa.

Henderson has helped Sturridge deal with all the setbacks he's endured and the captain says talk of the prolific striker being unwilling to play unless he's 100% fit is unfair.

“I've know Studge for years and I am quite close to him,” he said.

“I have been with him a lot while he has been out. You have to understand he has been more frustrated than anyone.

“A lot gets said about him outside of our group. I know it hurts him and I know it is hard for him to take. He is doing things to try and get back.

“He doesn't want to be injured. He is more annoyed than anyone that he isn't playing. But now he is back, he has got a smile on his face and he has been world class.”

As well as eyeing silverware with Liverpool, Sturridge also has an England spot to win back ahead of the Euros this summer. Henderson is convinced that if he plays regularly over the coming months that will be a formality.

“He's definitely one of the best. When he is firing, he is one of the best in the world, really,” Henderson added.

“He is that good. Finishing, touches, movement - he has got everything.

“He gets one chance and scores one goal and that is the difference.

“His biggest problem is getting a run of games, finding consistency and just staying fit. That is the only issue. If he stays fit, he becomes world class.”

Sunday was the first time that Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino have all lined up together.

The attacking trio proved too hot for lowly Villa with Coutinho at his brilliant best on his return to Premier League action after a hamstring injury.

A lack of firepower has blighted Liverpool's turbulent season but Henderson believes that should no longer be an issue.

Now the challenge is to build on that emphatic victory when the Reds travel to Germany for Thursday's Europa League last 32 first leg with Augsburg.

“Those three are top, top players,” Henderson said.

“You just let them go and play and cause havoc.

“I want to join in with them but I have to be careful about leaving space in the middle.

“I have got to think more about protecting the defence when we have got players of that quality in front of us.

“We have had a lot of injuries this season and we have struggled because of it at times.

“But hopefully we have been through the worst of it. We have struggled to find consistency but if we can keep it going we can beat anyone.”