The Liverpool No.15 had two promising chances to net soon after entering the action as a substitute in the second half at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, but eventually struck when a Divock Origi effort was parried into his path on 73 minutes.
Sturridge then turned provider for Alberto Moreno to thrash in a fifth unanswered goal for the Reds on another fine evening’s work for Jürgen Klopp’s side.
But with a typical striker’s mindset, the Englishman was not satisfied with his tally.
“I’m happy but I don’t like to miss chances either so I’m thinking about those ones more than the one I scored,” he told Liverpoolfc.