The 40-year-old boss praises the Uruguay international’s work ethic and quality in helping the side come through a difficult first few months this season when options were thin

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has declared that Luis Suarez is his player of the year this season.

The 26-year-old forward has been in exceptional form this season for the club, hitting 18 goals in the league so far while his tally stands at 26 goals across all competitions, leading to reported interest from Bayern Munich and other European giants.

With the club currently sat in eighth place in the league table with 11 games left to play this term, Rodgers believes that Suarez’s qualities have stood out all campaign during which they have come to rely on him for more than just goals.

“Who’s mine [player of the year]? Luis Suarez. He has been phenomenal. That’s not just an opinion as his manager,” the Reds boss told reporters.

“Luis had to play as the only striker we had for six months and hasn’t missed a single day of training. I couldn’t look further than Luis.”

Liverpool travel away to Roberto Martinez’s Wigan side on Saturday looking to maintain the pressure on the teams above them as they remain in the hunt for a European spot and Rodgers revealed that the side could be without Daniel Sturridge for the trip while Raheem Sterling could be rested.

He added: “Daniel has had a little knock but we’ll assess that in the next day and see how he is for the weekend.

“[Sterling] is a kid Sterling who’s got huge talent. I’ve got to make sure I protect him. He’ll need a wee rest, mentally and physically.”