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Daniel Sturridge could miss rest of season, admits Liverpool boss Rodgers

LIVERPOOL -- Daniel Sturridge could miss the final month of the season with a torn hip muscle, says Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

Rodgers will make the signing of a striker a priority this summer as Sturridge continues to struggle for fitness.

Sources have told ESPN FC that Liverpool are interested in PSV Eindhoven forward Memphis Depay -- the Dutch Eredivisie's 21-goal top scorer this season -- as well as Burnley's Danny Ings.

Rodgers is keen to bolster an attack that has struggled for goals with Sturridge absent for much of the season.

The England international has made seven Premier League starts this season, having suffered four separate injury setbacks.

Rodgers has acknowledged that the 25-year-old's latest problem, a hip injury sustained against Manchester United on March 22, could keep him out of Liverpool's final five league matches.

The manager said: "It's been difficult. Daniel is a good lad who wants to play and work and help the team but it's been one of those seasons for him.

"He's been very unfortunate. We'll have to monitor him day by day and see where he's at.

"When he's been fit, he's been brilliant -- but it's just a case of getting him back on a consistent basis. Whether that's this season, or in preseason, has to be seen."

Sturridge scored 21 of Liverpool's 101 Premier League goals last season as they finished runners-up to Manchester City.

But with the former Chelsea striker frequently injured and Luis Suarez -- last season's 31-goal top scorer -- moving to Barcelona last July, the Reds have been far less prolific this term, scoring 47 goals in 33 league matches.

With Mario Balotelli playing up front on Saturday, Liverpool were frustrated in a 0-0 draw at West Brom that left Rodgers' side fifth, seven points outside the Champions League qualification spots.

Asked about signing a striker this summer, Rodgers said: "It's certainly an area that we need to address come the summer.

"We have a top-class striker here in Daniel but he also needs help. At the same point last year, we had 90 goals. You're nearly talking about a 100 percent difference.

"We've been strong defensively -- despite what people write and say. We had a 14th clean sheet of the season at West Brom on Saturday, and we're in the top five sides defensively in the league.

"But obviously the critical area, as it was when I first came, is goal scoring -- and that is something we need to improve upon."

In addition to seeking a new striker, Liverpool are continuing in their efforts to get key squad members to agree new contracts.

Vice-captain Jordan Henderson signed up until 2020 on Thursday, and talks are ongoing with winger Jordon Ibe and centre-back Martin Skrtel.

"There's no more news on that -- both players are still in talks with the club," said Rodgers, who will also look to secure Raheem Sterling's long-term future when contract talks resume at the end of the season.

Ibe, 19, has established himself as a Liverpool regular in a wing-back role since returning early from a scheduled season-long loan at Championship side Derby County in January.

Rodgers added: "He's direct and wants to create goals and score goals. He still has a long way to go but he's made some exciting steps.

"Jordon's a very good footballer, he loves football and watches a lot. He also has this natural talent. He's not the type of boy you want to over-coach.

"He has a beautiful balance, can go either way, is very fast and his technique is very clean. He could play as a midfield player. But he loves to be wide, he loves to be in the duel."