Daniel Sturridge is the 'second best striker in the Premier League,' says former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher

He's only behind Manchester City hitman Sergio Aguero

Only Manchester City star Sergio Aguero is a better striker than Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge, according to former Reds hero Jamie Carragher.

Sturridge, 26, returned to top form against Aston Villa at the weekend, scoring his first two goals of the season and his first since March - after scoring 24 goals in all competitions as Liverpool almost won the title in 2013-14, Sturridge endured an injury hit campaign last year, scoring just five in 17 matches.

In total, Sturridge has scored 42 goals in just 68 matches for Liverpool since moving to the club from Chelsea in January 2013 and his injury last season, along with the departure of Luis Suarez, was seen as the major factor behind Brendan Rodgers' team falling from second to seventh.


 Sergio Aguero is the best striker in the league, according to Carragher
 (Getty Images)

Carragher, who has played more games for Liverpool than anyone but Ian Callaghan, did admit that his preference was for the Argentinian Aguero, who has scored 108 goals in 173 matches since joining City in 2011.

"That coolness, if Liverpool can get him firing then there's only really Aguero who's a better striker than him," Carragher told Sky Sports.

"If Sturridge is at his best, if he can stay fit, like the Sturridge we saw when Liverpool almost won the league, if you look around the top teams, there's only Aguero you'd have before him."