Liverpool striker Luis Suarez thanks fans for their forgiveness after summer transfer saga

Suarez pushed for an Anfield exit but having remained with the Merseyside club, he has gone on to produce his best run of form since his arrival in 2011

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring against Tottenham (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has explained his good form is down to the support and forgiveness of the Anfield faithful after he pushed for a move away from the club in the summer.

Suarez was the subject of an intense transfer pursuit from Arsenal which saw then have a bid of £40m plus £1 turned down by the Liverpool hierarchy, but having been reintegrated into the team the Uruguayan has shown an incredible run of form that has seen him score 17 goals this season.

Suarez was awarded the William Hill Football Supporters’ Federation Player of the Year on Monday, and he immediately thanked the Reds’ supporters for keeping faith in him, claiming that “coming back to play at Anfield” was the highlight of his year.

Speaking after he accepted the award, Suarez said: “After so many difficult moments for me I was able to win the supporters back, and that was unbelievable when I came back to play.

“They helped me, and that was important for me, for my confidence, and for my family, because they are together with me in this. It's very special for me (the award) because my hard work on the pitch is recognised. Everybody knows about my problems and my difficult year, but after that I forgot everything and have been able to get back on the pitch.

“Liverpool are starting to reach their potential and we can play our best on the pitch. It's very important that we stay together, we keep going, this is very important. If Liverpool don't have these players I cannot continue my level, because it's too much. They know I am important, so they try everything to stay together, that's important for me, but it's more important for the club.”

Suarez also admitted that both he and England captain Steven Gerrard joked about the World Cup draw which will see the club team-mates go head-to-head when the Three Lions take on Uruguay.

“Before the draw I hoped we would not face England. But when it said we would face England it was unbelievable for me,” Suarez explained.

“Stevie sent a message to me saying: 'We are so lucky,' and we were laughing because it's so funny. But now we are concentrating on the league and Liverpool.

“I think it's more difficult at the World Cup, it will be very, very difficult. Italy, Uruguay, England: they all have good players.

“But I think in the World Cup if you want to win, then in every game you must concentrate, and you must focus against every country.”

Suarez was in top form once again on Sunday, captaining the side in the 5-0 mauling of Tottenham that ultimately cost Andre Villas-Boas his job. Liverpool sit second in the Premier League, just two points off leaders Arsenal, and they could go top of the table if they beat Cardiff City in Saturday’s early kick-off.