The Uruguayan, who leads the Premier League scoring charts, is confident the Reds can secure Champions League football and admits to having overcome a “difficult” period

Luis Suarez has backed Liverpool to qualify for the Champions League if they can maintain their current form.

The Uruguay international scored twice in Sunday’s 5-3 victory at Stoke City in the Premier League on Sunday to take his incredible tally to 22 goals in only 16 top-flight games this season.

The Merseyside club are fourth in the table, six points behind leaders Arsenal, and Suarez – the leading scorer in the Premier League – is confident they can bring Champions League football back to Anfield.

“It’s very important because we know that in the last two years we haven’t demonstrated that Liverpool can play in the Champions League,” he told the club’s official website.

“Now we are playing very well and we have the level to play in the Champions League. We have really good players and if we continue at this level, we can do it.”

Suarez’s sensational form has led to him being billed as one of best players in world football, but the former Ajax man is happy to reward his club and supporters for standing by him.

He added: “When you are a child, you imagine a lot. Now many people or players speak about that and it’s unbelievable for me.

“And also for Liverpool, because in the last two or three years we have not played very well and not demonstrated our level. Now we are back to that.

“You work hard for the supporters and the people. It’s important because the last few months were a little difficult for me. Now I’ve changed and it’s okay.”

After a number of attacking talents were named in the FIFPro World XI on Monday, here at Goal we decided that it would be no bad thing to do the same with our Premier League Team of the Week.

There are eight goals between the midfielders and attackers in our line-up, which features a fluid trio of playmakers and Europe’s top league scorer!

Artur Boruc (4) takes his place between the sticks after a Top of the Match performance against West Brom on Saturday, rescuing Southampton with a wonderful save right at the death at St Mary’s.

It was not a vintage weekend for right-backs, meaning Nathaniel Clyne (3) makes his first appearance in our Team of the Week this season, thanks largely to an unspectacular performance. Though Glen Johnson and Bacary Sagna both also received three stars in our ratings, both men were culpable in some part for goals. Clyne’s Southampton kept a clean sheet, so he just about gets the nod.

It wasn’t quite so good for centre-backs, either, but Per Mertesacker (3.5) and Laurent Koscielny (3.5) once again showed why they are Arsene Wenger’s preferred defensive duo. Christian Benteke may have nipped in behind Sagna to score, but Mertesacker and Koscielny were on their mettle all night.

Aleksandar Kolarov (3.5) was voted top of the match for Manchester City against Newcastle, so he gets in at left-back.

Mark Noble (4) and Jack Wilshere (4) form the midfield axis behind a plethora of attacking talent. Noble “covered every blade of grass for his team and sealed the win with a fine finish in the second half” against Cardiff City on Saturday. Wilshere, for his part, stunned Aston Villa on Monday night with a goal and an assist just 17 seconds apart. Both men make their first appearances in our weekly team.

The two just kept out Sunderland’s Sung-Yong Ki (4), although the Black Cats do have representation later on.
 
In a very fluid set of playmakers, Eden Hazard (4) lines up on the left following another fine performance for Chelsea. The Belgian scored a fantastic solo goal from the edge of the area to put daylight between the Blues and Hull City on Saturday.

Adnan Januzaj (4.5) takes the central playmaker spot following another extremely impressive performance for Manchester United. For an 18-year-old he once again showed incredible ability and bravery to play a huge part in the Red Devils’ 2-0 win over Swansea.

Adam Johnson (5) completes the triumvirate after scoring a hat-trick during Sunderland’s impressive 4-1 win at Fulham. From our ratings: “Won the free kick which he curled brilliantly past Stockdale. Pinged a lovely cross for Ki for the second then tucked his next big chance away for his double. Wrapped up the hat-trick with a late penalty.”

Luis Suarez (4.5) takes his obligatory place up front following another double, this time against Stoke City. It is the Uruguayan’s seventh appearance in the Premier League team of the week this season!

Suarez’s Liverpool team-mate, Raheem Sterling (4), narrowly missed out after a four-star performance at the Britannia Stadium

The Liverpool winger has impressed for Brendan Rodgers’ side during the 2013-14 campaign and the Three Lions skipper is convinced he can earn a place on the plane to Brazil

Steven Gerrard has backed Liverpool team-mate Raheem Sterling to be the man to replace Theo Walcott in England’s World Cup squad.

Arsenal winger Walcott suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Gunners’ FA Cup third round victory over Tottenham, ruling him out for six months and ending his dream of appearing for his country in Brazil.

Sterling has emerged as a key member of Brendan Rodgers’ side, starting the last 10 Premier League games, and although the 19-year-old has only one England cap to his name, Gerrard is convinced he can play his way into Roy Hodgson’s plans.

The Three Lions captain said: “I’ve just said to him after the game, ‘you keep your performance at that level and you are going to make it very difficult for Roy Hodgson not to take you’.

“Raheem is in top form at a fantastic time – his performances of late have been sensational.

“I’m obviously disappointed for Theo. There are many candidates to replace him. Lennon’s playing well. Andros Townsend, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s back.

“But if you are looking at like-for-like, pace down the wing, someone who can make, score and create, then Raheem has got a fantastic chance.

“He’s got all the tools to do it, it’s up to him now. If you are a full-back you don’t want to play against pace and it’s pace when it’s coming at you all of the time. He is relentless.

“He’s a team player, too. Everyone knows Roy Hodgson, he likes a wide player who can defend as well. He’s got everything going for him. Now it’s up to him to keep putting in that level of performance.”

Gerrard has, however, warned Sterling that he will have to react and pick himself up when he suffers an inevitable dip in form.

“You’ve got to understand his age. He’s learning the game. He’s got a fantastic manager to help him through that,” the veteran Liverpool midfielder added.

“He’s only 18 [sic] and you are going to suffer a dip in form. Who doesn’t have a dip at 18 years of age? But the mark of a good player and how good any player is going to be is how they come back from that. Can he react?

“To come back the way he has, he’s been one of our most consistent players in the last couple of months. He’s been brilliant.”