Joe Allen hails Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez of Liverpool celebrates scoring their first goal (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen feels privileged to play alongside striker Luis Suarez.

The Uruguay striker became the first Reds player to score back-to-back league hat-tricks on the same away ground in Saturday's 5-2 win at Norwich.

Despite the 25-year-old being criticised for not scoring more goals he has just one fewer (20) in his first 50 league matches than the club's record scorer Ian Rush managed.

"It's a privilege to be able to play alongside Luis," Allen said.

"I'm just grateful he's on my team. When you're out there playing alongside him you just have to be in awe of a performance like that.

"The goals, some of the things he did, not many people in world football can do.

"He's got everything you need to be a top-class striker and I'm excited about the season he's going to have for this team.

"We mentioned before the game about the fact he got a hat-trick against them last season and the fans at Carrow Road must be happy to see the back of him."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had raised the issue of officials not giving Suarez decisions with referees' chief Mike Riley before the weekend, but it appeared to make no difference as the Uruguayan was denied a clear penalty against the Canaries.

Despite their frustrations Allen said the team had to learn to put those issues behind them.

"There's been a lot of talk about Luis recently and some of the penalties he may have had," the Wales international told the Liverpool Echo.

"There was another strong penalty shout at Norwich which he didn't get but as you saw from his reaction it didn't affect his performance - in fact he went on to put on a near-perfect display.

"I think Luis individually, and also us as a team, have just got on with things."

Having recorded their first league win of the season Allen believes they can now move forwards quicker.

"This is where our seasons starts really. We have to kick on from here," he said.

"If we keep performing like that then it will be the first win of many.

"With the talent we've got in the team we know that if we give it everything then there's not many teams who can stop us."

PA