Daniel Sturridge is still England's leading striker despite the rise of Harry Kane, according to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.
Sturridge is in line for his first Liverpool start since August as they host a Tottenham side buoyed by the in-form Kane at Anfield on Tuesday, a game Rodgers believes will have a major impact in the hunt for a Champions League qualifying spot.
Liverpool have won the last three encounters between the two clubs -- scoring 12 goals without reply -- but Rodgers insists Tottenham are a different outfit to the one that started the season due to the impact made by the likes of Kane and midfielder Ryan Mason in recent months.
The Liverpool manager believes a senior England cap is not far off for Kane, who has scored 22 goals in all competitions this season, but insists Sturridge is still the man to beat for the national side's No. 9 shirt.
Rodgers said: "I'm sure Daniel is happy there's another English striker coming through because if Harry Kane is going to be of the level to play for England, which I believe he is, then that helps Daniel and the other Liverpool players who play for England because it means you get another top quality striker.
"But for me there's not anyone better than Daniel Sturridge. There's no one better. He's got everything in his game if he's playing consistently. His goalscoring record, his pace, his power, he's got everything, and as an English striker there's no one better than him.
"I'm sure Daniel will look at it that there's another young English striker coming through and that will really help him when they come together at international level."