BR: World-class Luis deserves to be POTY
Brendan Rodgers today outlined the reasons why he believes Luis Suarez should be named as the Player of the Year for 2012-13.
The Liverpool striker has fired 29 goals in all competitions so far this term, 22 of which have come in the Barclays Premier League making him the division's top scorer.
Having worked with the Uruguayan over the last nine months, Rogers feels Suarez is one of the finest talents he's ever had under his tutelage - and believes his form this season is deserved of end-of-season accolades.
In an interview with 'Yahoo!', Rodgers said: "I've been fortunate enough to work with lots of really good players so it would be disrespectful to single out the best. 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.
"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 give 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."