Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has insisted playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa can have a similar influence at the club to that enjoyed by Luis Suarez at Liverpool.

Pardew is a keen admirer of the Uruguay international, and has described him as an “outstanding talent” ahead of the Magpies’ trip to Anfield on Sunday.

The Englishman also expressed hope that Ben Arfa can emulate the former Ajax man by putting himself at the heart of Newcastle’s attacking play.

“He is an outstanding talent. There is no doubt about that,” Pardew told the Newcastle Chronicle, when asked about Suarez.

“I think you have to see how many chances he creates and how many things he does in a game. You could do a highlights show for him after every game.

“I’ve been talking to Hatem about trying to have the same impact that Luis [Suarez] is having. Hatem almost did on Sunday [against West Brom]. You could have put him in that category.

“We’re looking at our own assets and we want them to worry about us.”