Rodgers Sees Only One Possible Player of the Year

With the season winding down and most seeing a three-way race for player of the year between Manchester United's Robin van Persie, Tottenham's Gareth Bale, and Liverpool's Luis Suarez the campaign to anoint the Premier League's top performer has begun in earnest.

Not all that surprisingly, Brendan Rodgers believes any conversation concerning the best player in England this season should begin and end with Luis Suarez—but he insists he'd feel that way even if he wasn't Liverpool's manager.

"He has been phenomenal—and that's not just an opinion as his manager," said Rodgers. "This is a guy who had to play upfront on his own as the only striker we had for six months and never missed a day of training. He played every minute of every game and his performances have spoken for themselves.

"There are many great players in this league, but he has been absolutely outstanding. I couldn't look any further, to be honest. You've seen Luis's all season—his cleverness, movement and intensity in his game.

"When I came here, everyone was talking about his finishing and how many chances he missed and whatnot. But you look at his conversion rate of chances this year and the goals he has put away have been brilliant. He is a terrific focal point for the team."

With Daniel Sturridge ruled out after picking up a minor knock in training, Suarez will have to be at his best once again in front of goal for Liverpool to win their third game in a row on Saturday when they visit relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic.

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