Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge says he is relishing the chance to earn his debut in Europe with the Reds as they prepare to face Besiktas on Thursday night.

The England international had to watch from the sidelines as the Merseysiders crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages, having endured a lengthy spell out of action with thigh and calf issues.

After five months in treatment room, Sturridge is back in action and set to get a taste of a European night at Anfield on the pitch, as Liverpool take on Besiktas in the last 32 of the Europa League.

The former Manchester City and Chelsea forward is looking forward to the challenge and says the Reds are taking the game seriously, despite it not being a Champions League encounter.

Sturridge said: “I can’t wait to finally get out there and actually have my debut with Liverpool in Europe.

“I’ve waited such a long time to play this game, it has been very difficult for myself to sit out and watch all those games we have played in the Champions League without being part of it, very, very hard.

“But it doesn’t make us any less determined because it’s the Europa League. It is not a joke to us, believe me, it doesn’t mean we are any less serious. We want to win it, we want success.”