Rodgers: Suarez going nowhere

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed fears striker Luis Suarez will be forced out of the English game by continuing criticism.

The Uruguay forward has had to endure plenty since his arrival from Ajax in January of 2011 and it shows no signs of easing just yet.

He was banned for eight matches last season after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra while the focus this campaign has been on his perceived diving.

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge expressed his concern the 25-year-old could walk away from the club because of the hard time he gets from opposition managers and supporters but Rodgers rejected that.

“I think he loves playing in English football,” said Rodgers of Suarez.

“I speak with Luis regularly and he loves the passion and excitement of the game over here.

“What he is is a player who is mentally very strong — as you can see from his time here the amount of stick he has taken.

“It is actually a driver for him. It really motivates him and he loves being at Liverpool: he loves the city, the club and the supporters so I can’t see that (being forced out) happening.”

Rodgers added: “He is a wonderful talent who will always provoke comments both positive and negative but the bottom line is he is a fantastic player. He scores goals and his goals to games ratio this season is fantastic. He is really inspirational for the group because he works hard every day and he is quality at that top end of the field: he genuinely is a world-class striker.’’