Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has praised the attitude of Luis Suarez amid speculation the striker may be offered a new long-term deal with the club.
Suarez has been in superb from since returning to action after a 10-match suspension, scoring 17 goals in 11 matches this season to help Brendan Rodgers’ side climb to second in the Premier League table.
That kind of form was enough to earn him the Football Supporters’ Federation’s player of the year award on Monday, with suggestions surfacing in the press that Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has opened new contract talks with the player’s agent.
But Sakho is keen to focus on what the Uruguay international can offer the team at present rather than being drawn in to speculation about Suarez’s future.
“For sure, it’s tough against Luis because he’s a world-class striker. That helps us improve,” Sakho told the club’s official website.
“I’m lucky enough to play with him, but the most important thing is that Luis gives everything for the team.
“He really makes himself available for the group just like all the players here and that’s why Liverpool are continuing to make progress with every game.”
Qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League would help Liverpool keep Suarez at Anfield beyond the end of his current deal, which has two-and-a-half years still to run.
Sakho feels they are in the running for a top-four finish and possibly the Premier League title itself.
“I think it simply shows that Liverpool are right in the mix and that we want to remain in and around the top of the table,” he added.
“It’s a very strong message that we’ve sent and while our main aim is to be in the places for the Champions League, we will see how things stand towards the end of the season to see if we are in the running for the title itself.
“But the first target is to get back on the European stage once again.”
Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂
