Suarez backed for Player of the Year
Brendan Rodgers has backed Liverpool's 'gladiator', Luis Suarez, to scoop England's Player of the Season award when his incredible 2013-14 campaign concludes in May.
To describe the Uruguayan as prolific would be a disservice; the Reds' No.7 has struck 28 times in just 25 Barclays Premier League appearances, and assisted 11 more goals for good measure.
His relentless work ethic, unquenchable thirst for victory and innate creativity have proven a major catalyst in helping Rodgers' side set up almost permanent camp in the division's top three.
Last year, Suarez was beaten to the individual end-of-season honours only by Gareth Bale, but his manager has argued the case that his unstoppable striker deserves the recognition this time around.
The Northern Irishman enthused to the Liverpool Echo: "He is certainly on his way to that. We have a number of candidates here - players who have been at the top level for a lot of the season.
"But Luis probably more than anyone has been really consistent so he has to be in the reckoning. Luis is a remarkable talent.
"His sheer will and determination to want to score supersedes that talent really. He has an amazing hunger for the game and 28 league goals in 25 games is a wonderful record."
Working with the 27-year-old every day, Rodgers enjoys a window into the character of the Salto-born superstar beyond what supporters witness during 90 minutes on the pitch.
And the boss believes Suarez the man has undertaken development on a personal level which matches the stratospheric displays he has turned in so regularly throughout 2013-14.
Rodgers continued: "I think at this time throughout the country people will be looking at Luis and admiring not only his development on the field - he has become a better player again this season - but also his development off the field.
"Role models and players with real class are wonderful talents on the field but you normally find they are even better people. That's the one thing people wouldn't really know about Luis. But they are seeing more of a sample of it this year.
"He's very quiet, timid even, off the field. His character and his nature is that of someone who is very focused on his job. But when he crosses the white line he becomes this gladiator on the field."