Brendan Rodgers is prepared to sacrifice Liverpool’s Europa League hopes to protect Luis Suarez for Sunday’s testing trip to Chelsea.
The Reds boss knows he cannot afford to lose his star striker, who has scored or had a hand in 10 of their 13 Premier League goals this season.
The fact is Liverpool have more of a chance of winning in Europe than against Chelsea in the Premier League, with or without Suarez.
Resting Suarez only puts Liverpool in an all or nothing corner.
Rodgers is set to leave Suarez on Merseyside, along with skipper Steven Gerrard, when he jets out to Moscow with his squad for Thursday’s clash with Anzhi, according to the Daily Mirror (https://bit.ly/YMGg16).
The Liverpool manager has been mesmerised by Suarez who rescued Reds singlehandedly from what would have been a fifth home defeat with a wonder goal against Newcastle.
Jose Enrique, who hit the 60-yard ball for Suarez to control brilliantly on his chest before rounding Tim Krul to score, claimed none of his team-mates was surprised by his world-class finish.
Fabricio Coloccini got sent off because he became so frustrated trying to mark the Uruguayan and Enrique claims opponents are frightened of him.
“We all know Luis already, so his goal was no surprise,” said Enrique.
“I think with all the other things that are being said about Luis, people forget just how good a player he is.
“There are different types of strikers in the world, but Luis is the kind of player who can create his own chances.
“It won’t always come off for him, but he will try things a thousand times in every game.
“People try to make Luis struggle because he is an important player for us and some of the opposing teams are scared of him.”