Brendan Rodgers dismissed claims Liverpool talisman Luis Suarez has become disillusioned with English football, insisting his loves the passion of the Premier League.

Former Anfield star John Aldridge made the suggestion that the Uruguayan may seek a new adventure if he becomes frustrated by the media coverage surrounding his ban for racism or diving, in light of recent refereeing decisions against him.

But Rodgers believes the striker is enjoying life on Merseyside and relishes the task of improving Liverpool’s fortunes.

“Luis loves playing in English football. I speak with him regularly and he loves the passion and excitement of the game over here,” Rodgers told reporters.

“He is a player who’s mentally very strong, as you can see from his time here with the amount of stick he’s taken.

“It’s actually a driver for him. It really motivates him.

“He loves being at Liverpool. He loves the city, he loves the club and he loves the supporters, so I can’t see that happening.”

Suarez was at the centre of the action once again on Sunday as he played a starring role in the 2-2 derby draw with rivals Everton.

The striker’s cross-cum-shot was turned into his own net by Leighton Baines to open the scoring, leading to him celebrating by feigning a dive in front of David Moyes following the Everton manager’s pre-match comments regarding simulation, before adding a goal of his own from a Steven Gerrard free kick.

Rodgers is full of praise for Suarez, and would rather concentrate on his fantastic exploits on the pitch rather than negative conceptions of him off it.

He added: “I thought he was outstanding. He’s just a breath of fresh air, his enthusiasm. He’s our only fit striker here.

“He was tireless against Reading, we had to play a strong team in order to get a result against Anzhi, and I think many people thought the condition of the team and him in particular up front would maybe waver a bit, but the condition of the group and him in particular was amazing.

“He’s a wonderful talent. He’ll always provoke comments both positive and negative but the bottom line is he’s a fantastic player. He scores goals, his goals to games ratio this season is fantastic.”

Liverpool first-team coach Mike Marsh has confirmed that Pepe Reina and Glen Johnson will sit out the Reds’ midweek clash with Swansea in the Capital One Cup has they continue to recover from respective injuries.

The goalkeeper could only manage a place on the substitutes’ bench in the 2-2 draw against Merseyside rivals Everton on Sunday, as back-up stopper Brad Jones continued to deputise, as his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury continues.

Johnson, meanwhile, is also set to miss out with a knock he picked up during last Thursday’s 1-0 Europa League win over Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.

The right-back sat out the weekend derby altogether, with Jose Enrique switching from his preferred left-back position to cover, and will not be rushed back into the side for the Swansea match as a precaution.

Marsh told the club’s official website: “They’re both unavailable for the Swansea game. We’ll see where they are after that.”

Despite the injury worries over two of their most senior individuals, Marsh also revealed how the Reds came through the derby game without any fresh fitness concerns, but did admit Brendan Rodgers will largely field a second-string side.

“The boys have come out of it [the derby] well and they’re all fit and strong,” he added. “One or two are carrying knocks.

“We play Swansea tomorrow in the Capital One Cup and it’s a chance to rest one or two and give one or two other players a chance to get some game time.”

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says he has no doubts about Raheem Sterling’s future as one of the Premier League’s finest talents, following his display in the 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.

Gerrard applauded the attitude as much as as the ability of the 17-year-old, who was appearing in the fixture for the first time, and indeed only making his 11th league appearance as a senior player.

“He will be one of the top players in the league, there’s no doubt about it. The way he stands up and wants the ball, he doesn’t hide,” Gerrard told reporters. “He’s a credit to himself. He’s got some bottle. That’s what you look for in young lads.”

Sterling was unable to take a good opportunity to put his side in front just after half-time, but his captain insists that the winger should not be losing any sleep over the miss, and that it did not detract from a fine all-round performance.

“There was the chance early in the second half when he was through on goal, when he matures a little bit and gets that bit of composure into his game that will come. We have all been there,” Gerrard added.

“I thought Sterling was fantastic. At 17 years of age, playing away in a derby, in a cauldron and an atmosphere like that, he was outstanding.

“You wonder whether they have got the bottle to play away from home against top teams in tough situations. He handled it superbly and he has been a revelation for us.

“I don’t think the Everton players would have known much about Raheem Sterling before Sunday. But I think they will be seeing an awful lot of him in the future.

“He will be playing in many Merseyside derbies and he will have a major impact on them.”