• Premier League

Suarez gets Rodgers' player of the year backing

ESPN staff
April 5, 2013
Brendan Rodgers is a huge admirer of Luis Suarez © Getty Images
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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Luis Suarez should be named Premier League player of the year - not just for his goals, but also for his consistency.

Suarez has scored 22 times in the league (29 in all competitions) so far for the Reds, proving a constant threat for a side that currently sit seventh in the table.

The Uruguayan's performances have led many to tip him for the various end of season individual awards, and Rodgers believes Suarez fully warrants such accolades.

"I've been fortunate enough to work with lots of really good players so it would be disrespectful to single out the best," Rodgers told Eurosport. "What I am sure of though, is his warrior spirit and I love his humility, work rate, attitude to training and his desire to be a winner.

"He has a real determination and commitment to do well for Liverpool and that side of his game certainly puts him up there with the very best I've worked with. He is definitely one of the most naturally talented and mentally strong players I have ever worked with.

"He will certainly be in the reckoning [for Player of the Year]. His league goals alone should put him in with a great shout but you also need to look at his consistency throughout the season that makes him arguably the best player."

Rodgers acknowledged that other footballers - particularly Spurs winger Gareth Bale - have had similarly strong campaigns, but believes the "multi-talented" and "world-class" Suarez deserves the edge due to his consistency.

He added: "There are other contenders of course; players like Gareth Bale have been outstanding for Tottenham for example, but I think that Luis' consistency and the impact he has had for us this season means that he would be my candidate to win.

"I know what it was like when I faced him as an opposing manager, I always viewed him as a pest around the penalty area and you know that players like that usually have the quality to score at any given time. When you know him as a person and as a man like we do here, you can see why so many people love him.

"He is a player who has great humility, I see the guy everyday and I've worked with hundreds of junior and senior players and he is one of the most likable, most humble people I've come across.

"He is also a multi-talented footballer who has shown that he is at a world-class level now."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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