Suarez says title triumph is a bigger motivation than goalscoring glory
Luis Suarez insists his motivation is leading Liverpool to title glory rather than personal milestones ahead of Sunday's vital Anfield clash with Manchester City.
The Uruguayan striker, who already has the Premier League Golden Boot wrapped up, is just one goal away from becoming the first Reds player to hit 30 league goals in a season since Ian Rush in the mid-80s.
Suarez also needs three goals over the final five matches in order to beat the Premier League scoring record over a 38-game season which is jointly held by Alan Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo on 31.
“If I wanted to do that, I could ask Stevie (Gerrard) if I could take a penalty, but I'm not like that,” Suarez said.
“For myself, it is more important that Liverpool finish in a good position. I try in every game to score because I am a striker.
“I love to make goals, but for me if I could swap being top scorer or winning the Golden Boot for the team finishing in the top four or winning the league - that would be more important.
“Of course it would be special (to break the record). In the last few years I have tried to do my job as well as I can to help the team and the Liverpool supporters.
"To finish the season as top scorer or with a new record would be nice for me, for my family and for the Liverpool supporters because it's important for them to have a player who holds the record. But if I think back a few games, I didn't score, but I kept trying my best on the pitch.“We know Chelsea and City dropped some points, so we're at the top of the league now and that's amazing for us. Now we can't stop because we have a really good chance."
Suarez has recently changed his goal celebration to a roar while he flexes his muscles. He revealed to liverpoolfc.com that it's inspired by his daughter Delfina.
"My daughter loves football, and she likes when I score a goal and celebrate," he explained.
"She loves princesses and things like that, but I can't do it on the pitch!
"But she also likes Hulk, Spiderman and Superman. I told her when I score, I'd do a celebration like Hulk or Superman, so it's for her. She watches on TV and loves when I do it.
"Six or seven years ago, I watched the Premier League on TV and I loved it when players scored goals and their celebrations. If we score here at Anfield or away, I love the fans because they enjoy it and they're happy."
Suarez admits the Reds are going into the City clash on a high following nine straight league wins – the last of which was a gutsy 2-1 triumph at West Ham.
"We know West Ham are tough because they are strong at home. They play the long ball which is difficult, but our defenders played very well,” he said.
“We know all about their qualities and the passes to Andy (Carroll) to head the ball, but our defenders and midfielders too played well and we dealt with the second ball. We also created a lot of chances to score."
"For some people, it's a surprise because in the Premier League it is difficult to win nine games in a row. But if we continue at this level, we'll play very well.
"On the pitch we try the best to help the team. The team know we've had some really good performances in the last few weeks and we'll try to continue in this way.”
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