Rodgers: Suarez has been phenomenal

The Uruguayan was recognised by his peers after an unstoppable season in which he has fired 30 league goals and turned in a series of mesmerising displays.

Rodgers feels Suarez has a quality and enthusiasm to his game that is a throwback to his days playing street football in Montevideo as a youngster.

"That's the beauty of him,'' the manager said. "It's that invention and creativity that we love. He's a player from the street and that's something that in this country we've been looking to identify.

"He's just relentless in his work. Every second of the day, in training, he's just non-stop. He has been coached but it hasn't been coached out of him. He has been allowed to flourish. In and around the box, he's magical.

"He's a real humble guy and so professional. People don't see that.

"This is a guy who, when he finishes his meal, he gets his two bottles of water, four litres, he takes it away, making sure he's hydrated before games.

"He never misses a training session. He's never on the treatment table - and the kicks he gets, the knocks he gets. Everyone is seeing his maturity as a person and his continuing development as a player. He has been phenomenal.''

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Since Rodgers was installed at the Liverpool helm in June 2012, Suarez has fired 60 goals in just 79 appearances. Indeed, this season so far, his record stands at 30 in 35.

The boss added: "I'm interested in the person as much as the player. From the first year, he knew I would shape the team around his qualities. The way we set the system up is to be technical and intelligent.

"Probably what people don't see with Luis is that he's a very, very highly intelligent man off the field - and maybe sometimes in the past that intelligence on the field hasn't been seen so much - but that imagination is part of how we work.

"I love players that have that technical ability. That's what we've built our template on over the past 20 months and he's at the top end of that."

Suarez's goals have helped catapult Liverpool to the top of the Barclays Premier League table.

Last weekend's 3-2 victory over Norwich City ensured the Reds can finish no lower than third this season and therefore ensured they'll be playing Champions League football next term.

"A player of Luis Suarez's ability has to be playing at this level," remarked Rodgers. "His loyalty in staying at Liverpool, to continue to fight for the club to get us there, is remarkable really.

"Hopefully he gets the rewards for that with those big European nights next season."

After collecting his award on Sunday evening, Suarez spoke of his gratitude towards his teammates, coaching staff, fans and family for their continued backing.

Rodgers feels the support of his wife, Sofia, provides him with the stability to perform on the pitch.

"She's a great woman and offers him great stability in his life,'' he said. "She tells him straight and direct. She loves Liverpool, she loves the city, she loves the camaraderie with the other players' wives. So she's a real pillar in his life.

"Luis travelled across the world to find her again. It's an incredible story. She left Uruguay and went to Barcelona with her parents. He wanted to move to Europe so he would have the chance to meet up with her again.

"When he went to Holland - it's a beautiful story - he was only 17 and had gone to Groningen, he asked the coach for a few days off. On those days off, he travelled to Barcelona to go and get her, to bring her back, and they've been together ever since.''