• Premier League

Suarez better off at Liverpool - Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers remains convinced that Luis Suarez's career was best served by Liverpool's decision to hang onto him in the summer.

The Uruguayan expressed a desire to leave Anfield in the close season during his ten match suspension but continued his dynamic comeback with a stunning hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Liverpool's next opponents are Arsenal at The Emirates next Saturday, the Premier League leaders having been confirmed as front-runners had Suarez been allowed to move to a side playing Champions League football.

But Rodgers believed his club acted wisely in digging their heels in and keeping hold of a man whose first Anfield hat-trick took his goal tally to six in the five games he has played since returning from suspension.

"No, I wouldn't say that," Rodgers said on whether Suarez would be leaving. "I think he, like ourselves, wants to be at the very highest level he can be.

"He is better off here because we are growing. He can grow as well and he has the support of everyone here. Even if we were mid-table, I would maintain this was the place for him to be.

"He is a player of such quality. He has such a high level of performance. What he's incredible at is making something out of nothing.

"He's a wonderful player and I wanted to get him a round of applause from the spectators by taking him off near the end. It's building that relationship up again. That love is there. He wants to be at the highest level like us and, with his performances, he deserves to be at that level."

Download ESPN's new UK sport app, a fresh and powerful new way to follow your favourite UK sports news, scores and video.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd