The England international signed for Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool side in January 2013 and has flourished – scoring 22 goals in the 30 appearances he has made for the club since sealing his move a year ago – but insists the job is only half done and it is crucial they continue the early-season momentum throughout 2014.
"We had a good start and we want to build on that. Some say a lack of European football could help us and maybe that does give us a slight advantage in terms of freshness,” he said.
"It would be great to secure a return to the Champions League. It's four seasons since Liverpool were last in it and that's too long. God willing, we'll be up there in May.”
“When you consider where I've come from since last January, it'd be brilliant to be on that plane to Brazil. ”
Daniel Sturridge
Due to an ankle injury, the 24-year-old has not featured for Liverpool since the gripping 3-3 draw against Everton on 23 November 2013.
But Liverpool assistant manager Colin Pascoe recently revealed the striker is nearing a return to action, and Sturridge says that while exciting times lay ahead over the coming months it is important he takes one step at a time.
"On a personal level, I want to keep working hard and look to improve. I'm not going to set myself any crazy targets,” added the former Manchester City and Chelsea player.
"If I can keep developing my game and get a place at the World Cup, I'll be delighted. That would be an amazing achievement.
"When you consider where I've come from since last January, it'd be brilliant to be on that plane to Brazil."
In the extensive interview with FourFourTwo magazine, the Birmingham-born forward also revealed his relationship with Brendan Rodgers dates back far beyond the 12 months he has spent under Northern Irishman’s watch at Liverpool.
Sturridge has flourished under Brendan Rodgers
"I first met him when I was at Manchester City and we played his Chelsea team in the Youth Cup," he said.
"We beat them, so I've had a good time reminiscing with him about that! He also surprised me recently because he talked about a game when I was 16 and I scored against them from the halfway line.
"I hadn't realised he was in the opposition dugout at the time. It's nice that I was on his radar at such an early stage.
"He's a great man on and off the pitch. He is tactically sound, pays attention to every detail and knows his players inside out.”
Liverpool travel to Stoke in the Premier League on Sunday, before welcoming Aston Villa to Anfield the following weekend.
While the visit to the Britannia may come too soon for Sturridge, he will undoubtedly have an eye on resuming the blossoming partnership with Luis Suarez when Paul Lambert’s men come to town on 18 January.
