England striker Daniel Sturridge is close to joining Liverpool from Chelsea.

Ahead of the January transfer window, the 23-year-old Sturridge was in Liverpool having a medical examination on Sunday.

Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez says “the information I had was he was there, passing the medical”.

Sturridge has struggled for first-team action since joining Chelsea from Manchester City in July 2009 on a four-year contract.

The forward has made four appearances for England.