Suarez delighted with Sturridge partnership

Uruguayan striker insists duo are not in competition with each other

Daniel Sturridge  and  Luis Suarez both scored in Liverpool’s victory over Crystal Palace. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez both scored in Liverpool’s victory over Crystal Palace. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez insists there is no competition with Daniel Sturridge to be top scorer this season and both are working for the good of the team.

The Uruguay and England internationals both scored in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, taking their combined tally to five in two matches since Suarez’s return from a 10-match suspension.

That has already done plenty to dispel questions over whether they can play as a pair up front and Suarez insists they will continue to work to fire Liverpool back into the Champions League.

“We compete for the shirt of Liverpool and we try our best for the team, not for me or him,” said the 26-year-old, whose summer transfer machinations were instantly forgotten by fans on his first appearance at Anfield since April.

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“When you have one big striker and a very good player in Daniel, I am so happy. He tries his best for the team and tries his best to play with me.

“Last season we didn’t play very well and we finished in a bad position and this season we’ll try to be better.

“If we stay with the same football style and try for the win every game, we can try for the top four.”

Sturridge now has eight goals in nine appearances this season, including six in seven league matches, while Suarez has hit the ground running with three in two.

Team-mate Kolo Toure believes there is currently no better partnership operating in the Premier League.

“I think they are top strikers. To have them is massive for us,” said the Ivory Coast defender.

“They are the best pair in the league definitely. They work well together, they respect each other and they are so strong up front.

“Suarez is a great player and that is why we wanted him to stay because he is a big striker and to have someone like him and Sturridge is important. Their job is to score goals.”