Luis Suarez has revealed he spent previous Christmas Days pretending to be Steven Gerrard on his games console — and how he’s overjoyed to now be playing on the same team as a man he describes as his “hero.”
The pair have struck up what at times can appear to be an almost telepathic understanding since Suarez joined Liverpool from Ajax in January 2011.
However, it wasn’t so long ago that the No. 7 was busy imitating playing for the Reds alongside Gerrard on his Playstation.
“It’s hard to find words to describe what a great player Steven has been — and continues to be — for the club,” Suarez said.
“It was only four years ago or so that I was playing on the Playstation and I was always Liverpool and to have him in my team was great. Now I’m playing alongside him — he was a hero.
“I’m very, very happy here at the club, I couldn’t be happier. Liverpool is a club I’ve always dreamed of playing at. It’s like a dream for me.”
Suarez has found himself flanked by youngsters in many games this season with 18-year-old Raheem Sterling a constant fixture in the Reds’ attack and 19-year-old Suso featuring heavily down the opposite wing.
And he sees a bright future for all the starlets currently making the step up from Academy level to the first team under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers.
“At Liverpool, the blend of youth and experience that we have got is great,” said Suarez. “We have got some fantastic youngsters, who have got really promising futures. They bring a lot to the side now and they are going to provide even more in the future.”
Suarez also reserved special praise for manager Rodgers, whose footballing philosophies chime with that of the tricky No. 7.
“With the manager, we have a mutual confidence in each other,” he explained. “I’m really enjoying the style of play that he is trying to implement. I am taking on board how he wants us to play — it really suits my game.”
Photo via LiverpoolFC.com
