The Reds boss indicated the forward is once again settled at Anfield after a “difficult summer”, suggesting the “genuine” prospect of Champions League football has helped

Liverpool star Luis Suarez is happier than he has ever been at the club, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Uruguayan was at the centre of constant transfer speculation during the off-season, with Arsenal and Real Madrid among those reportedly interested, but the Premier League club refused to sell.
 
Club captain Steven Gerrard had voiced concerns that the 26-year-old forward may leave the club if they failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

But after keeping hold of the forward this summer Rodgers insists he has never seen Suarez, who has scored six league goals this season, look happier.

“Luis, looking and speaking to him over the last couple of days, he’s happy as he’s ever been,” Rodgers said on Thursday.

“He recognises that we have a real genuine chance this year of breaking in there (the top four). Last year was about transition and the second part of the season was about improvement, he’s seen that.

“Obviously we had a difficult summer but he’s come back and is more mature and his performance level’s been really high and he sees a genuine chance for us to make that so he’s very happy here.”

Despite losing to league leaders Arsenal last time out, Liverpool sit third in the Premier League after a solid start to the campaign.

Their form has Rodgers confident they can qualify for Europe’s top club competition, which could be enough to keep Suarez at Anfield.

“If you look at where we’re at, if you’re averaging two points in your games then you would like to think that you’re getting into the Champions League,” Rodgers said.

“Certainly that’s something come Saturday (against Fulham) if we can do that, get another three points, which we’ll be fighting hard for, then that would take us above that.

“We’re just treating every game as a really important game for us in our quest this year, as I said we need to just keep focusing and keep our concentration.”

Rodgers is likely to welcome back defender Glen Johnson and attacker Philippe Coutinho to the starting line-up for the visit of Fulham.

The Reds manager said the midfielder may retire from international football to help extend his time at Anfield, but indicated the 33-year-old is yet to make any concrete decision

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has suggested that Steven Gerrard may call time on his England career after the 2014 World Cup.

The influential midfielder is the Three Lions fourth-most capped player – one behind Bobby More, eight behind David Beckham and 18 off goalkeeper Peter Shilton’s record – and has appeared at three European Championships and two World Cups.

But Rodgers believes this summer’s tournament in Brazil could well by his last, with Gerrard set to be 34 at the end of the competition and keen to prolong his club career.

“I think it’s something he will assess and look at,” the Liverpool boss told reporters. “If you go to a World Cup in Brazil at 34 years of age you might not have many more championships left in you.

“Very few players do. I can think of [Javier] Zanetti and [Paolo] Maldini who have played on late but it’s rare.

“It will be Steven’s decision but I’m sure in these years now he’ll want to maximise every cap, every performance and every minute on the pitch he can, and that’s what he’s trying to do.”

Gerrard has been included in Roy Hodgson’s squad for the upcoming friendlies against Germany and Chile, despite starting every game for both club and country so far this season (17).

The former Swansea manager insisted he has no problems with the player’s selection, but did admit that he would welcome a rest for his captain during the international break.

“I think it is something that Roy has looked at for these games but Steven is a real talisman for the group,” he added.

“He is real leader for the team and everyone there. Whether he plays in the two friendlies or not is another matter. There are absolutely times when you can rest him and I think that is important for him.

“But for Steven he probably looks at it as though this is his last international year and after the World Cup that will be all finished and he will have lots of time to rest then.

“He and Roy have a good relationship and I’m sure if he needs that breather in these two games he will get that.”

The Northern Irishman is still Martin Atkinson’s decision to call Luis Suarez back for taking a quick free kick against the Gunners that led to Jordan Henderson converting

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has expressed his frustration at his side’s disallowed goal during their 2-0 defeat at Arsenal.

Having been cynically hauled back by Bacary Sagna, Luis Suarez got straight to his feet and took a quick free kick to Daniel Sturridge, whose cross was then tapped into the net by Jordan Henderson.

However, by that point, referee Martin Atkinson had already pulled play back in order to issue Sagna a yellow card, denying the Reds a goal that would have levelled the scores at 1-1.

Rodgers is still frustrated by the decision but is keen to put it behind him, telling reporters: “I was given an explanation afterwards and that was it, really. [There’s] nothing you can do about it now, so it’s gone.

“It was disappointing at the time. I said I thought the referee had a good game but, from that incident, it’s something that I said afterwards we were trying to get the flow of the game going and we’re trying to stop players rolling about if they get tackled.

“We were in a really dangerous situation and obviously Luis gets brought down and credit to him – and the ball wasn’t rolling.

“He’s done well, he’s stopped the ball, we’ve made an action to go and obviously there’s a high possibility it would have resulted in a goal.”

Henderson, whose ‘goal’ was ruled out in that incident, has nonetheless been recalled to Roy Hodgson’s England squad for their November friendlies and Rodgers is delighted for the midfielder.

“It’s great for the boy and it’s merited from the start he’s had to the season – he has been outstanding,” the Northern Irishman enthused.

“It’s a big credit to him that I’ve been able to play him in a couple of positions. If you’re going to a World Cup, you’re going to need players that can play in a number of positions well. He can do that, he’s shown already this season how versatile he is.

“He’ll make a lot of improvements over the next couple of years and can become a really top player.”