LIVERPOOL -- Raheem Sterling will be a better striker for Liverpool now that Daniel Sturridge has returned to action, manager Brendan Rodgers says.
Rodgers has stated repeatedly in recent weeks that he expects Sterling to sign a new contract with the club soon.
The deal -- expected to run until 2020 -- has been delayed amid a split between the two agents who represent the 20-year-old.
But Liverpool boss Rodgers is satisfied that Sterling, whose current contract runs until 2017, is happy at Anfield, despite reported interest from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in recent months.
The winger was pushed forward into a central striking role in mid-December as Rodgers looked for ways to compensate for the loss of Sturridge to injury.
Sturridge is fit again after five months out with thigh and calf problems and, along with Sterling, scored in Saturday's 2-0 Premier League win over West Ham.
Rodgers thinks the former Chelsea forward's return will help his England colleague sharpen his attacking skills.
"Dan's got more experience and knows the movement patterns a little bit better," he said. "And I think Daniel coming back gives the other players confidence. When you've got a top striker like that in and around you, then it improves everything."
Rodgers is pleased with the way Sterling has adapted to playing as a forward, adding: "Raheem's been brilliant since I put him up there. He's shown how adaptable he is, and how intelligent he is as a footballer.
"He has the qualities to play in that position. He's played a lot on the sides or underneath a main striker. Raheem has shown if he plays that role as a striker, he'll get goals. He might be a different type of player to Daniel, but he'll get goals in that position."