The Uruguayan has been linked with a summer exit from Anfield after another season of controversy, but the Scot believes English football must retain its top talents

EXCLUSIVE
By Paul Clennam

Liverpool and the Premier League will lose out if Luis Suarez decides to leave English football this summer, according to former Reds star Gary McAllister.

Suarez has been plagued by controversy since arriving at Anfield in January 2011, and is currently serving a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

The Uruguayan’s long list of misdemeanours has made him something of a hate figure for many on these shores, but McAllister believes his talent makes him worth persisting with.

“The noises coming out of Anfield are that they’re going to try to stand by him, but the pressure Suarez and his family have come under might just persuade him to ply his trade somewhere else,” the Scot told Goal.com.

“That would be a crying shame. The Premier League over the past two or three years has lost quite a few high-profile players to Europe, and we have to try to keep all our top talent in England.

“It would be sad for the Premier League if we did lose him. He’s such a wonderful player, but what he did you can’t excuse.”

In Suarez’s absence, January arrivals Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge have stepped up to the plate for Brendan Rodgers, shining in Liverpool’s 6-0 demolition of Newcastle last Saturday.

McAllister believes the Reds boss has pulled off something of a coup in attracting the Brazilian to Anfield, and thinks Sturridge should figure more prominently in the England reckoning.

“Coutinho falls right into that model that Brendan Rodgers is looking to put together: small, technical, with a real love for the game and never stops moving,” he added.

“There’s a lot said about who should be playing up front for England, but Sturridge has adapted his game really well. He’s a modern striker with the ability to play in wider areas.

“He can adapt, and if Roy Hodgson wants to play three up front, Sturridge is equipped to play right across the front line. When he’s at it, he’s got a lot to offer.”

Jamie Carragher starts in what could be his final Merseyside derby, while David Moyes makes one change, introducing Darron Gibson for Nikica Jelavic for the trip to Anfield

Brendan Rodgers has named an unchanged starting XI for Liverpool’s meeting with Everton at Anfield this afternoon.

The Reds demolished Newcastle 6-0 last weekend and that has encouraged Rodgers to stick with the same side, with Daniel Sturridge leading an attack consisting of Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Phillipe Coutinho, while Jamie Carragher starts in what could be his final Merseyside derby.

Everton make one change as Darron Gibson comes in for Nikica Jelavic as David Moyes looks to fortify his midfield.

Seamus Coleman will make his 100th Everton appearance, while Phil Jagielka will play in his 500th career game as the Toffees look to preserve their five point lead over their rivals.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Enrique; Gerrard, Lucas; Henderson, Coutinho, Downing; Sturridge

Subs: Jones, Skrtel, Shelvey, Borini, Assaidi, Coates, Suso.

Everton: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Mirallas, Gibson, Osman, Fellaini, Pienaar; Anichebe.

Subs: Mucha, Hibbert, Heitinga, Jelavic, Oviedo, Naismith, Duffy.

The Anfield outfit scored six times against Newcastle in their first match without suspended Luis Suarez and the Reds manager is adamant his side can cope without the Uruguayan

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed accusations that his side are reliant on suspended striker Luis Suarez.

The Uruguay international has scored 23 goals in the Premier League this season, over twice as many as second top scorer Steven Gerrard, who has found the back of the net nine times.

But Rodgers has rejected the notion that Liverpool are a one-man team, citing the nine goals his side have scored in the two matches Suarez has missed this season and has backed them to continue that form against Everton.

“If you are the second-highest scorers away, it’s not really just one guy who is doing it,” Rodgers told reporters.

“That was proved last week, absolutely. Luis hasn’t played two games and we’ve scored nine goals away from home [in those two matches].

“It’s a bit unfair to say we were totally reliant on him, although Luis did his job really well, there’s no doubt.”

Rodgers also criticised the squad’s lack of depth up front for any perceived reliance on Suarez, with Andy Carroll loaned to West Ham, Fabio Borini suffering a string of injuries and Daniel Sturridge only recruited in January.

But with the former Chelsea striker finding form and linking well with January signing Philippe Coutinho, and with new arrivals expected in the summer, Rodgers is confident his side will challenge next season.

“[Suarez] has been the striker who has been fit, available and playing,” the Anfield boss continued.

“Maybe if I had depth to the group I would have had him on the bench in games, rested him and put others in.

“I didn’t have the luxury to do that, but now we have young Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho – and we’ll get more reinforcements in the summer.

“That will give us the depth in order for us to maintain the standard we are after. If we do that, and make a good start, we’ll be up there challenging – I have no doubt about that.”