Liverpool's Luis Suarez is forged in iron

BRENDAN RODGERS claims it will take more than jetlag to stop ironman Luis Suarez today.

Brendan Rodgers believes Luis Suarez's resilience is second to none [ACTION IMAGES/JASON CAIRNDUFF]

The Liverpool star made a 14,000-mile trip to be back on Merseyside in time for today's derby at Everton after helping Uruguay book their place at next year's World Cup.
And Rodgers says Suarez's iron willpower will ensure he is Everton's tormentor-inchief despite his marathon journey.

"I've been fortunate enough to work with some outstanding players character-wise, very strong ones, but I'd say no-one is stronger than Luis mentally," said Kop boss Rodgers.
"Certainly no-one with the will and that length of desire to actually play football. He's tough. It's his love of football - he loves playing and training.


"Of course he will be tired after the travel but he will be ready to play. That was the whole plan when we looked at it.
"He wanted to play when we looked at the Fulham game, the two qualifiers and against Everton. We sat down with a plan, because he was so keen to play.

"There was a lot of organising to ensure he could play, to assure their federation he would be out there at the time stipulated.
"Then the plan was to get him back with as much preparation time as we could."
Rodgers is going in search of his first win over Everton as Reds boss at the third attempt, after draws in both derby games last season.

The Northern Irishman believes he is in a much stronger position than in his previous encounters against the Toffees, having stamped his mark on the side since taking over from Kenny Dalglish.

Liverpool will be banking on Suarez to see them past city rivals Everton [CARL RECINE/ACTION IMAGES]

“I've been fortunate enough to work with some outstanding players character-wise, very strong ones, but I'd say no-one is stronger than Luis mentally”

Brendan Rodgers

"This team feels more like mine than the last derby," Rodgers said.
"We have a great belief and confidence, and the players will feel that.
"The players now have a much greater idea of how we work. When you look at the team last year, we had young Suso, Raheem (Sterling), Andrew Wisdom, Nuri Sahin.
"It was very young but now I feel we're seeing a lot more signs of where we're at."


Victory at Goodison Park would send Liverpool top of the Premier League, for a few hours at least.
But striker Daniel Sturridge admits he is just looking forward to getting served again in the city.
"I'm in Tesco the other day and the cashier says, 'I'm not going to serve you if you score'," said Sturridge, who has been struggling with a thigh injury.

"I say, 'You're joking, right?' and he says, 'No'. It shows they take it to the next level of seriousness when it comes to this game.

"Restaurant guys tell me they will not serve me food. Instead they will send me packing.
"God willing, it's going to be red shirts that will be worn around the city the next day, as Liverpool fans are proud of us getting a victory."