STEVEN GERRARD says rival defenders are “lucky” they only have to face Luis Suarez twice a season - as he hails the striker’s never-say-die attitude.
The Liverpool captain laid on the assist for both of the Uruguayan’s goals in Wednesday night’s 3-0 win over Sunderland at Anfield.
Suarez now has 15 Premier League goals this season and is in scintillating form, having plundered a double in the Reds’ previous game at QPR.
Gerrard was pleased that his 25-year-old teammate was only able to score twice in both of those games because he believes Suarez’s desire for a second hat-trick of the season will keep him playing at the peak of his powers.
“The players in the Premier League are lucky they only have to test themselves against him twice a season,” said Gerrard.
“They should be very glad of that because he’s running rings around us every day all year round. We have to put up with it every day.”
He added: “It’s nice in a strange way that Luis hasn’t had more hat-tricks because he will want more goals.
“Sometimes when forwards get hat-tricks they take their foot off the gas. I hope he’s upset and went home angry on Wednesday night that he only got two.
“With a game against Man United coming up hopefully he’s saving a few for them.”
Even with Liverpool cruising to back-to-back victories, Suarez refused to give anything less than his very best in midweek.
It is a quality that Gerrard admires.
“He’s a warrior,” said the Liverpool skipper.
“It’s very rare to see in a centre-forward that mentality – that they never give up and fight for every ball.
“Even when you are 3-0 up, he’s the same. It’s kids in the street stuff. He’s the same every day in training.”
