Luis Suarez says playing in the Champions League next season with Liverpool would be a dream come true.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are on course to qualify for the competition, as
they lie fourth in the Premier League with 12 matches to play.
Suarez, 27, has been key to that push as the league’s leading scorer,
having scored 23 goals since returning from suspension in late
September.
The Uruguay international went through a turbulent few months in 2013, collecting a 10-match domestic ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in April, and declared publicly during the summer that he wanted to leave.
Liverpool held off two bids from Arsenal to sign him,
and the striker suggested a long-term commitment to staying on
Merseyside when he signed a contract extension in December that runs
through to 2018.
Those in the know at Anfield believe that the best way to end any sense
of restlessness in Suarez once and for all would be to reach the
Champions League, a competition the club last qualified for in 2009.
Suarez, who figured in the competition for his previous club Ajax,
admitted that watching this week’s last-16 ties on television has
increased his desire to play in it again.
Having learned about dramatic European nights at Anfield from talking
to Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, the striker wants to experience
them for himself.
"I want to be there with Liverpool. It's an unbelievable competition.
It's where we want to be -- playing against the top teams in Europe,"
Suarez told the Liverpool Echo. "I watched the games on TV this week and when you hear that Champions League music that's motivation in itself.
"Stevie [Gerrard] has told me about Champions League nights at Anfield.
He said when you have played Champions League football at Anfield you
will never forget it. I want to try it for myself. When I arrived here I
said it was my dream to play for Liverpool and play Champions League
here. I know I can achieve my dreams here."
But while Liverpool are just four points off league leaders Chelsea,
Suarez concedes that winning the Premier League this season may be a
little beyond them.
"Can we win the title? I'm not sure. I think this season the Premier
League is so difficult. Every team can lose games. Man City, Chelsea and
Arsenal have been dropping points," he said. "We are very strong at
home and we must keep going like this. As the manager said we are a
Chihuahua! We must just focus on every game. In football you never know
what can happen.
"To be in the Champions League is what we all want. This is our
objective -- to play in it next season. We know we have a small squad.
When our best 11 players start we have shown we can do well against any
team. But if we have one or two injuries it can become difficult for the
manager."
Suarez has struck up an impressive partnership with Daniel Sturridge
this season, with the England international weighing in with 19 goals on
top of his teammate’s tally.
And the former Ajax man believes the pair’s understanding on the pitch has been a major boost for Liverpool this term.
"I enjoy playing with Daniel and there is a good relationship between
us," he said. "I think both players love scoring goals. It's important
when you have two or three players like that as it gives more confidence
for the team. Daniel was scoring goals when I couldn't play at the
start of the season and then when Daniel was out injured I was able to
score a lot of goals. It's important for the team not to be relying on
one player.
"The team is always more important than any individual. If I don't
score but the team wins I am so happy. Last season I went six games
without scoring, now it's four games but it's no problem. I know I am in
another position now and I try my best there. I will work very hard for
the team. It doesn't matter who scores the goals. If Daniel or someone
else scores I am so happy for them."
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