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Rodgers blasts talk of 'one-man team' Liverpool
09-Mar-2013 3:45:00 PM
The Anfield boss has dismissed suggestions that the Reds rely on Luis Suarez, citing the contributions of the likes of Steven Gerrard
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has branded claims that his side are a “one-man team” centred on Luis Suarez as “very disrespectful.”The 26-year-old striker is in blistering form with 28 goals to his name in all competitions, including six in his last three games, but Rodgers believes there are other players in his squad who deserve the plaudits as well.
Nevertheless, the Northern Irishman isn’t shy about lavishing praise on his Uruguayan star.
“His consistency this season has been phenomenal, really,” he told reporters. “He’s a master marksman that this year has been really, really efficient, and been outstanding.
“Listen, we're not a one-man team, I think it's very disrespectful to our other players in the team who have been outstanding, Steven Gerrard or the likes - he's got the most assists in the Premier League this year.
“We're very much about the team and Luis is a big part of that. Hopefully he can continue with the brilliant form he's been in.”
Suarez is a leading contender for the Premier League player of the year awards but he will need to fight off intense competition from Gareth Bale, with all eyes on the battle between the league’s two in-form attackers when Liverpool host Tottenham on Sunday.
The Anfield boss accepts the threat that the 23-year-old Welshman will pose to his side, but stressed that his focus is on the performance of his own players.
He continued: “[Bale is] a phenomenal player, both for his club and for his country. He has been outstanding for Wales as well [as for Tottenham]. He's at the top of his game.
“We will always analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the team, but for us our main concern is ourselves, bringing our own game into it and as I said, doing our work when the opponent has the ball.”
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