Injured Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard described stand-in replacement skipper Luis Suarez as "the best player in the world" on current form.
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Gerrard, appearing as an analyst on Sky Sports as his team destroyed Tottenham 5-0 at White Hart Lane to move back up to second in the Premier League, said striker Suarez was "relentless".
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Suarez scored twice and made three as Brendan Rodgers' side produced a dazzling display in North London, and Gerrard told Sky Sports: "On current form, he is the best player in the world - and I'm not just saying that because he's my team-mate.
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"He is relentless. He doesn't give up, no matter what the scoreline is. He's always chasing defenders back, and he wanted a hat trick. In the 90th minute, he is trying to get his third goal, and that just sums him up. He never gives up.
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"We're lucky to have him and we need to enjoy him while he's here because, if he keeps performances up like this... I hate to say it, but the big guns are going to be sniffing, which is what we don't want.
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"Luis is the key [to Champions League qualification]. If he can stay in this form and keep producing performances and goals like that, there is no doubt we will finish in the top four.