Skrtel: My Reds mate Suarez is off his trolley but he's just a regular family man and will fire us into the Champions League

It conjures up a wonderful image — Luis Suarez pushing a trolley around his local supermarket in Allerton, south Liverpool, to do the weekly family food shop.
Friend and neighbour Martin Skrtel insists it does happen and that his Liverpool team-mate is a regular guy off the pitch, even though he is a total menace during working hours.

‘Luis is my neighbour and I socialise with him. I’ve met him in Tesco a few times as well so he has no problems living a normal family life,’ said Skrtel, smiling.

Happy neighbours: Martin Skrtel, speaking at the launch of Need for Speed Rivals on the PS4, says Luis Suarez will help Liverpool get into the Champions League

Take a bow: Suarez has been in red-hot form for Liverpool this season

Trolley dash: Suarez shops in Uruguay with his wife, Sofia Balbi and daughter Delfina in May

‘Like all of us, he has to eat and drink. Footballers are famous people in this country, but we are also normal people who have to do normal things. That’s what we try to do.’
But it is a different beast that Skrtel encounters on a daily basis in training. Suarez has scored nine goals in eight games since returning from suspension for biting and while he does not go that far with his own team-mates, neither does he give anyone an easy ride.
‘It’s very difficult to mark him. He is one of the best strikers I’ve ever played against, and I’m happy it’s only in training. Other defenders have to do it in matches,’ confessed  Skrtel.
‘He is very competitive and tries to beat you in every practice match. He is very hard to play against, and physical. But away from the pitch he is a very good guy, totally different to the person he is on the field.

Reds' joy: Philippe Coutinho, obscured lower centre, celebrates with teammates including Skrtel, centre left, and Suarez after scoring against Everton

Derby passion: Everton's Magaye Gueye, right, vies with Skrtel at Goodison Park

Pair of jokers: Skrtel and Suarez share a laugh during last season's 2-2 draw at Arsenal

‘He has had some problems in the past but away from the pitch he’s nice. He’s my neighbour and I socialise with him. He is a family guy, he enjoys having his family around him. His English isn’t the best but he tries to speak some and he’s getting better at that.
‘If Liverpool want to play at the top level we need to have the top players and for me Luis Suarez is one of the top strikers in the world.’
On Sunday, at Hull’s KC Stadium, Suarez and Skrtel will forget domestic chores.
Liverpool, eighth and seventh in the previous two seasons, are pushing hard for a Champions League spot aided by the Uruguayan’s blistering return after suspension alongside Daniel Sturridge, although the England man is facing several weeks out after injuring his ankle in training on Friday.

Injury blow: Daniel Sturridge, seen here celebrating with Skrtel after scoring against Manchester United, is facing several weeks on sidelines with a sprained ankle

Back in favour: Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has restored Skrtel to the starting line-up

Dymanic duo: Suarez and Skrtel celebrates the Uruguayan's goal at Everton last season

With eight Premier League games and 24 points to be played for in the next month, Skrtel knows Liverpool cannot afford to slip up. They have not been to Hull since 2010 when a goalless draw was Rafa Benitez’s last match in charge.
‘The target is top four. I believe in the team and I know we can reach that,’ said the Slovak defender emphatically.
‘If you offered us fifth place now, we definitely wouldn’t be happy even though it is better than recent seasons. The Champions League is the best competition and the dream of every footballer across Europe to be part of it. I want to be there.

Defensive rock: Skrtel has regained his place in the Liverpool defence

‘Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the players are proud to be here. But everyone wants to play in the Champions League so it’s important to qualify.’
Skrtel does not need to mention that Suarez wanted to leave in the summer for Arsenal or Real Madrid, both of whom are regulars in Europe’s elite competition.
Failure again to finish in the top four and even the most ardent Koppite would not begrudge the 26-year-old striker from trying to leave while at his peak.
That is one of the reasons why manager Brendan Rodgers sees this season as crucial. Liverpool want to force their way back into the big time while some rivals have struggled for consistency under new management.
Skrtel is back as first-choice centre-half having spent five months on the bench last season. It forced him to consider his future before deciding to give it one last go on Merseyside.
‘Obviously, I thought about everything at the end of last season when I didn’t play. I had a bad season, I made mistakes and was put on the bench. It wasn’t easy,’ said the 28-year-old who was at the launch of Need for Speed Rivals on PS4.
‘One option was to leave but my family had settled and I liked the club and the city so it’s not easy to say you will go.
'I said to myself I’d fight for my position and do everything possible in pre-season to get back into the team. That was my target and I’m happy I’ve done it.
Most pundits would say Skrtel’s re-emergence has stiffened Liverpool at the back, last weekend’s thrilling 3-3 draw at Everton being the one exception.

New release: Need for Speed Rivals is available to buy on all formats

The shaven-headed defender is an undoubted tough nut whose competitive spirit was enhanced by playing ice hockey as a boy.

Football has already given him more than he could ever have dreamed of financially.
But he is not one to be overly sentimental.

When he last trooped off at Hull he was not thinking about Benitez’s impending departure, even though the Spaniard had signed him. ‘It was the last game of the season, so I was thinking about my holiday,’ he said, with disarming candour.
‘We finished second under Rafa [in 2009]. This is a different type of team but one of the best I’ve played in at Liverpool.

‘The atmosphere among the group is very good, it has come alive in the last few months. But we have to  finish in the top four — it’s our only target.’