The Gunners boss has hailed the Uruguay international’s off-field behaviour but says he becomes possessed while playing and that English defenders “hate” to face him

Arsene Wenger says Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is an “angel who turns into a demon on the pitch”.

Arsenal made two bids for Suarez over the summer after being led to believe that an offer of over £40 million would trigger a release clause in his contract.

That proved not to be the case and the Reds held firm, despite Suarez’s desire to leave Anfield, and Wenger admits that he still admires the in-form Uruguayan.

“He is an angel,” he told Telefoot. “He turns into a demon when he is on the pitch. We all dream of having players like that. According to information I had about him, he is beyond reproach away from the pitch.

“He has a provocative personality. All the English defenders hate to play against him.”

Suarez is the Premier League’s top goalscorer this season with 15 goals, despite missing the first five games of the season, and has emerged as a contender for the Player of the Year award.

Real Madrid have been alerted by his fine form and are considering a €70 million bid in January, though they are more confident of striking a deal in the summer.

Several British newspapers have reported on Sunday that Liverpool are due to sit down with agent Pere Guardiola over a new contract.