Suarez wins praise for performance

Steven Gerrard hailed Luis Suarez as a ‘magician’ after the Uruguayan struck twice to help fire Liverpool to a 3-0 win over QPR on Sunday.

The former Ajax man scored both goals in the opening 20 minutes, taking advantage of some ponderous defending from QPR, before Daniel Agger headed home from a corner to complete the scoring.

“He’s been brilliant for us since he came to the club,” Gerrard told Sky Sports. “Week in, week out he shows what a top player he is.

“These players have only got to play against him twice a year, we’ve got to train against him every day, he’s a magician.”

The Reds had it all their own way in the first half, as QPR’s midfield failed to get close to their opponents and their defence could only stand as Suarez played the ball around them, but Gerrard dismissed claims that the game was simple for his side.

“I wouldn’t say it was easy, that’s very disrespectful to QPR but they’re having a tough time at the moment,” he added.

“We knew if we started well we could quieten the crowd and out football would take over and we were probably the best we’ve played so far this season.

“At half-time we wanted more goals but Harry Redknapp’s a top manager and he’s going to change things.

“He changed things to three at the back and credit to him we found it a lot harder to get through in the second half, but we played well today and deserved the three points.

Brendan Rodgers missed the game after picking up a suspected virus that has also affected other members of the coaching staff and the Liverpool captain dedicated the win to their stricken manager.

“Yeah, it’s tough [without Rodgers], there’s a gap there,” Gerrard explained. “You can tell when Brendan’s not there, he’s been fantastic since he came in.

“He’s been brilliant to the players and when we knew he wasn’t going to be coming today it was important that we got the three points for him and make sure he’s getting looked after at home and he’ll be happy with the lads today.”

Despite the loss, Redknapp remains confident that his side can avoid the drop.

“I think we’ll stay up still,” Redknapp told reporters. “You’ll all think that I’m mad, but I think we’ll stay up. I only want positive people around me.

“I said that in the dressing room. Those that are moping around, the subs who don’t play, they’re not playing because they haven’t been no good. If they were any good I’d be picking them. I look at miserable faces, I don’t need them around me, I need people who are upbeat.

“The next couple of games are unbelievable. Chelsea away, Tottenham at home – two of the best teams in the country. Difficult games. We’ve got to keep going, but I still think we’ll do it.

“It’s hard. With the quality that we have everywhere. It was a difficult day.

“You look at the quality of their players – one club has spent nearly 200 million pounds on players and it was hard – we couldn’t get near them. In the first half hour we were all over the place, they ran us ragged.”