The Uruguay and Liverpool striker has credited the Dutch champions with improving him as a footballer and is keen to go back to Amsterdam before the end of his career

Liverpool forward Luis Suarez hopes to return to Ajax later in his career and has lauded the impact his time at the club had on his development.

The Uruguay international spent three-and-a-half seasons in Amsterdam, lifting the Eredivisie title and scoring an astonishing 81 goals in 110 league matches.

And the 27-year-old, who has enjoyed a double award-winning campaign on Merseyside this season, says he is still “crazy” about the Dutch giants and keen to play for them again in the future.

“I’ve always said on one day I will return at Ajax,” Suarez told Helden magazine. “Even if the manager doesn’t want me, I’ll go. For sure!

“Ajax was a very important step in my life. My wife Sofia and I are crazy about Amsterdam and the lifestyle, the respect from and for everyone.

“We had a happy life and could live there in peace. We walked a lot through Amsterdam.”

Suarez was named the Professional Footballers’ Association’s and Football Writers’ Association’s Player of the Year after a prolific season for Liverpool and credits his education at Ajax for helping turn him into one of the best players in the world.

“Ajax was the ideal club for me and I learned a lot there,” he continued. “I credit Ajax for teaching me to use both feet, but also how to play without the ball and how to be a team player.

“[Former manager] Martin Jol gave me a lot of confidence. I was honoured when he made me captain of the team and I felt responsible.”

The manager conceded first place to Manchester City following Monday’s capitulation to Crystal Palace, but now insists his team will continue fighting until the end of the season

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is refusing to give up on the Premier League title despite Monday’s capitulation at Crystal Palace.

Goals from Damien Delaney and Dwight Gayle in the final 11 minutes saw the table-toppers squander a three-goal lead to draw 3-3, making Manchester City strong favourites to claim the title.

Rodgers, whose team are a point clear at the top but have played a game more than City, said Liverpool would keep fighting until the end of the season, despite conceding the title race was over on Monday.

“The players have been incredible and they have allowed the supporters to dream,” he said.

“To be the club that is top of the league by one point with one week to go, and you never know what might happen, has taken a huge effort.

“The only thing I will promise is that while I am here we’ll fight for our lives. Our season doesn’t finish until after Newcastle.”

Speaking at Liverpool’s awards night on Tuesday, Rodgers thanked the club’s owners for their belief in him amid reports he is in line for a new contract.

“I would like to thank the owners and the executive team for what they have done for me since I have been here,” Rodgers said.

“They brought a young manager of 39 into one of the biggest clubs in the world and gave me the chance to develop the vision of football that I have.

“If it wasn’t for their faith in me I probably wouldn’t be here given the pressures of modern football.”

The Uruguayan has swept the individual awards this season after scoring 31 goals in just 32 Premier League games to fire Liverpool to a surprise title challenge

Steven Gerrard has hailed Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez as the best player he has played with “by a distance”.

Suarez has been outstanding for the Reds this season, leading the Premier League scoring charts with 31 goals in just 32 appearances to fire his club to a surprise title challenge. 

The Uruguayan’s contribution was recognised at the club’s awards ceremony on Tuesday, when he won the Players’ Player of the Year, Fans’ Player of the Year and the goal of the season awards.

The former Ajax man has also landed the Football Writers’ Player of the Year and Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award after a stellar campaign.

Suarez was inconsolable after Liverpool squandered a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Crystal Palace on Monday, a setback that has left Manchester City as firm favourites to win the league.

But England captain Gerrard reflected on an outstanding campaign for Suarez at Tuesday’s awards ceremony and stressed the importance of keeping the 27-year-old at Anfield.

“Luis seems to be cleaning up at the moment,” he told reporters. “He’s won everything and we are lucky to have such a world-class talent like Luis playing here with us and helping us to do great things and be successful.

“He is out there by a big distance as the best player I have played with and that is no disrespect to anyone else – there has been some top talent for club and country – but this fella can do the lot. He is different to most footballers.

“I don’t have to mention his talent, you can see it out there, and he is a fighter who doesn’t give up.

“There is some disappointment looming around but if this fella stays around for a few more years I think there will be some really big nights.”