Suarez honoured with LDSA award
Luis Suarez was named player of the season by the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association at a gala dinner at Anfield on Thursday evening.
Members of the LDSA voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Uruguayan for their annual honour, with Suarez receiving the vast majority.
"It's incredible because these people are unbelievable - when we play in the match and when we score, they are so happy," Suarez told LFC TV after collecting the prize.
The 26-year-old had previously spent more than an hour greeting supporters, signing Liverpool memorabilia and posing for photographs with excited members.
He added: "When I see children or the family, it's a good time to take a picture or signature. For me, it's no problem because they are happy and I am happy also."
As well as presenting Suarez with his accolade, youngster Joe Baxter also handed over the LDSA presidency for 2013 to former Reds striker David Fairclough.
Fairclough said: "I'm very flattered - it is very humbling to be awarded the honour by such a group of Liverpool fans. It has been very pleasant and obviously one or two remember me playing, which is even better."
The evening was attended by more than a hundred LDSA members, who shared a meal after meeting Suarez. Signed shirts and LFC memorabilia were later raffled to raise money.
Among those to meet Suarez at Anfield's Reds Lounge was Ashley Taylor, who said: "It was very good, I was a bit star-struck but I'm glad I met him. It was brilliant.
"He was really good to give my other half's stepdad a message to say 'get well soon' - he has cancer - which was really good of him.
"It's very important because people like my uncle Derek come all the time and if it wasn't for things like this he wouldn't come out. It's good for the players to come out and give their time and support."
Colin McCall, LFC's disability liaison officer, added: "To have someone as esteemed as Luis Suarez coming to collect his trophy, interacting with the fans, it's absolutely fantastic.
"This is something that they will never ever forget, meeting their idols. He was very humbling in the way he interacted - he was an absolute credit to the club.
"When we took the forms back in, he took 94 per cent of the vote - it was pretty much a landslide."
Find out more about the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association>>