Luis Suarez allays exits fears, insisting he is 'extremely happy' at Liverpool

The Uruguay striker has hit top form this term with 25 goals

Luis Suarez remains “comfortable” and “extremely happy” at Liverpool despite a season of mixed fortunes on Merseyside.

The Uruguay striker has hit top form this term with 25 goals, 18 of which have come in the Barclays Premier League, but his performances have not always been matched by Liverpool's results.

The Reds' inconsistent campaign has increased speculation over Suarez's future - even though he signed a new contract at Anfield just last summer.

He has been heavily linked with a number of clubs, including Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

The Bayern link is given added weight by the fact their incoming coach from next season, Pep Guardiola, is the brother of Suarez's agent, Pere.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers nevertheless is confident the club's probable lack of Champions League football next season - they sit eighth in the standings, 10 points off a top-four place with 11 games remaining - will not persuade his star man to leave.

And Suarez himself has reiterated his commitment to the club.

"I always say the same thing, every kid or young player growing up dreams of playing here at Liverpool, and today, here I am, highly privileged doing just that," he said.

"I enjoy every minute to the maximum because it's a great opportunity that my life has presented me and for which I am very pleased.

"I'm here at a club where I always wanted to be and where I always wanted to play, and for that I'm extremely happy.

"I don't know if it's my best form but I do know that I continue to feel comfortable and happy in a side where my team-mates help me a lot.

"That's an important thing for a player. I also think that when you feel good out there on the pitch it shows that things can go well."

The £12million signing of Daniel Sturridge in January eased the goalscoring burden on Suarez, who had almost single-handedly kept the Reds afloat in the first half of the season.

With the new arrival playing as an out-and-out centre-forward, Suarez has been deployed in a slightly deeper position as well as occasionally operating out wide.

It is a challenge he relishes and stressed he was more interested in helping the team rather than beating Manchester United's 19-goal striker Robin van Persie to the Premier League's golden boot.

"A player always has something he can improve upon or something new to learn," Suarez added on liverpoolfc.com.

"Recently I've been featuring in positions that I'm not so used to playing in, which I'm happy about. I'm learning how to play in another role which is a good thing for me and will also benefit the team.

"Of course it's a dream for any striker to be the top scorer in the Premier League, but to be honest it's not one of my main aims.

"My focus is getting the team to the highest possible position in the league.

"For sure, I'd be delighted if I were to win the award and even more grateful to the club and my team-mates because it would be thanks to them that I would be receiving any accolade.

"But for now, with quite a few games to go in the season and many other quality goalscorers in the Premier League, it's too early to be thinking about any award."

PA