The FAI confirms that the Reds will visit Ireland for a summer friendly at the Aviva Stadium in what will be the two teams’ first meeting since 1982

The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed that Liverpool will travel to Dublin for a friendly with Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium on May 14.
The two sides have not met since 1982, when John Giles’s side held their English opponents to a 1-1 draw in front of 5,000 fans at Milltown in Dublin with Ian Rush scoring the visitors’ only goal.

Rush is hoping that the Reds can go one better when they meet Shamrock Rovers this summer, telling the club’s official website: “I played in the game against Shamrock Rovers over three decades ago and I remember scoring that goal.

“It’ll be great to play them again and take away a win this time rather than a draw.”

Liverpool’s chief commercial officer, Billy Hogan, is excited about the prospect of playing in front of the club’s Irish supporters, enthusing: “We are looking forward to coming back to Dublin again this year to play in front of our Irish fans.

“The club enjoys incredible support in Ireland. Our opponent, Shamrock Rovers, hold a special place for us as we bought Jim Beglin from them in 1983, who became Bob Paisley’s last-ever signing.”

The Denmark international believes that his Liverpool team-mate deserves to be crowned Footballer of the Year after his stunning displays for the Reds this season

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger believes that every team in the Premier League is scared of striker Luis Suarez.

The Uruguay international has enjoyed a prolific season and leads the division’s scoring charts with 28 goals, despite having missed the opening five games of the season due to suspension.

Suarez has formed a superb partnership with Daniel Sturridge, which has been a key feature of the Reds’ title challenge this season, but Agger feels that the Uruguayan deserves all the plaudits.

“Luis has got everything,” he told the Liverpool Echo. “What he does on the pitch is unbelievable and every team in the league is afraid of him and rightly so.

“Without a doubt, he has to be the Footballer of the Year. It is not only his goals and assists but also his work-rate for the team.”

Liverpool face Sunderland on Wednesday knowing that victory would see them move above Manchester City and back into second place, just a point behind leaders Chelsea.

Agger has urged his side to maintain their fine form, which has seen them win their last six Premier League games, if they are to continue to fight for the title.

“We have a belief in ourselves and we go into every game believing we can win. Even when we go behind, we still believe we can win,” he added. “That’s the big thing this season – we know we can score a lot of goals and we showed that again [against Cardiff City].

“If we are going to do something this season we need to keep that belief all the way through and we have to win almost every game. They are all massive weeks for us now.”

The Uruguayan has been in sensational form this season, scoring 28 goals in 25 league appearances, and has been praised by his manager at Anfield

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has emerged from past controversies to become a “model of brilliance”, according to boss Brendan Rodgers.

The Uruguayan has been embroiled in two high-profile disciplinary matters since moving to Anfield, earning lengthy bans for allegedly racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, and then for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.

But this season, after returning from his most recent long-term suspension, Suarez has been in irresistible form, scoring 28 goals in just 25 Premier League appearances.

However, it is not just Suarez’s sharpness in front of goal that has impressed manager Rodgers, who believes that the 27-year-old has demonstrated all-round quality.

“I think it’s been nice for people to see the other side of Luis this season,” Rodgers told reporters. “People don’t see he’s a real quiet, humble guy off the field who becomes a gladiator when he crosses the white line.

“This year, he has been a model of brilliance. On the pitch it’s never been questioned and if anything he has improved on that level.

“He’s up for every game. He’s a real strong pillar of our team. He’s really dominant, that’s why I had no hesitancy at the time making him skipper.”

Suarez has been the driving force in Liverpool’s climb up the Premier League table, and with eight games to go they sit third and in contention for a first top-flight title since 1990.