Luis Suarez has backed Brendan Rodgers to bring success to Liverpool, whilst hailing former captain Steven Gerrard as an ‘inspiration.’
Suarez enjoyed the best form of his Liverpool career under the Northern Irishman, scoring 61 goals during his two seasons in charge.
The Uruguayan completed a £75million move to Barcelona in the summer, and has seen his former club struggled without him so far.
But the 27-year-old predicts Rodgers will bring big success to the club in due course.
“Brendan Rodgers has great ideas,” he told Shortlist magazine. “I said when I left the club that I was leaving them in good hands, and I am sure he will be even more successful than he has been.”
“I don’t think the fans would have been happy if I had taken their players, but every team could use Steven Gerrard,” he added.
“He is such a leader, such an inspiration – Liverpool are very fortunate to have had him for his entire career.”
Suarez was quoted on Barcelona’s official website saying he was the driving force behind Liverpool’s success last season, but he has since revealed his fondness for both the club and the city.
“I have said Liverpool will be in my heart, so now I will watch them,” said Suarez.
“I already knew Barcelona well as a city – my wife has a family over here and that was a factor in our decision.
“Liverpool will always be a city in my heart, so now I will watch them.
“The Liverpool fans and the city itself will both always be with me in my heart [but] I won’t miss the media.”
Suarez is set to make his return to action on October 25, having been banned for four months following his bite on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini.
The incident soured what had been a superb World Cup for the striker up until that point, having knocked England out with both goals in the 2-1 win for Uruguay in Sao Paulo.
And Suarez has revealed it was England boss Roy Hodgson who inadvertently fired him up before the game.
“Roy Hodgson did not want to acknowledge that I was a top player, so I did feel like I had something to prove. I was not even close to being fully fit when I played against England, but I was still able to answer the critics,” said Suarez.
“I do not want to miss any football, and I will make sure that will not be happening.”
