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By David Maddock

He may have scored 18 goals by the turn of the year, and proved himself possibly the best in the world in his position - but that won’t guarantee Luis Suarez a central striking role at Anfield.

Following the arrival of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea in a £12million deal this week, Reds manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed he wants to start the new signing in what he believes is the England international's best position - down the middle.

Given that Suarez this term had already surpassed his tally of 17 goals for the whole of last season while playing in that position, some may question the wisdom of the Sturridge signing, particularly as Suarez has THIRTEEN more goals than any of his team-mates.

Yet Rodgers is confident his South American centre forward is good enough to play anywhere in the side - and ready to take on any role to help the team ahead of his own personal interest.

“Daniel’s best position is as a central striker, and I think the best role for him will be straight through the middle, with his pace,” the manager explained.

“Where will Luis play then? He’ll play for the common good of the team.

"But don’t tell me it’s a problem - it’s never a problem having good players.

“Wherever Luis plays, he will make the same movements and find the space, because he is a world class player.”

Rodgers knows it is a risk changing his game plan when it finally seems to have come good over an impressive Christmas period for Liverpool, which has seen them come within touching distance of the top four.

Suarez has played in a withdrawn central role - operating up front on his own but dropping deeper at times to exploit the space between Liverpool's midfield and the opposition defence.

It was worked a treat, and brought the best out of him both in terms of goals and in his growing stature in the Premier League, as four goals in his last two games suggest.

But Rodgers points to the team spirit within his side, and the selfless approach of Suarez, who he reckons will be happy to switch position to accommodate the pace and power of Sturridge.

“There is not just one way to play 4-3-3. You can have one up and two wingers, a floating nine like Luis,” Rodgers added.

“Or you can have one like Daniel playing central, two in and around him narrow, with the full-backs bombing on.

“The principles of your game are based on your players and I think, with Daniel, there are not many quicker so he’ll give us that extra power up there as well.

(Image: Chris Neill)

“I’ve said that Luis is like Messi in his love of the game, and his desire to work for the team. He always wants what’s best for this team, and you can see that in the way he plays. It is not a problem for this group.”

Rodgers revealed he has already discussed his tactical plans with the Uruguay international, and got the thumbs up from a striker he reckons has the versatility to play a number of different roles.

“When Luis was at Ajax he played in behind as a number 10, in between the lines and he played as a reverse winger from the left, so he wasn’t quite out wide - he was tucked in round the corner,” he explained.

“I spoke with Luis at length on it a number of times. This has been in the plan for a few months. The principles of your game are based on your players.”

Replacing such a remarkable talent as Suarez, given his incredible form, could place Sturridge under even more pressure to perform, but the Reds boss remains convinced he has the hunger to deal with it.

Rodgers DID have doubts about signing the England international back in August, when he insisted Liverpool would prefer a loan deal for the forward.

But after an important meeting with Sturridge, he is now entirely convinced.

“You need to look in the player’s eyes and see if they have that hunger. I’ve had time to speak to him and look around and see how he’s going to fit in,” the manager insisted.

“Daniel is 23 years old and a wonderful talent. You put him in this group and all of a sudden you get stature and presence. He can learn from the likes of Steven Gerrard, not just about football, but about being a human being too.

“Sometimes young players make the wrong moves, not in terms of a club, but the wrong football move. He was 16 when he went to Manchester City and left there very young because he couldn’t agree a deal.

“But he went to Chelsea, where Didier Drogba was arguably the best striker in the world, so he wasn’t going to climb in front of him.

"He has only done it at Bolton [during a loan spell in 2010-11], because they are the only team that played him.

“He played 12 games there and scored eight goals.

"He has always done that as a young player and that was the idea of me thinking he has the potential and hunger to do it here.”

Kopping off: Stags boss' match of the day

By James Nursey

Mansfield boss Paul Cox is getting married on Friday - but insists his priority is an FA Cup upset!

Cox promised his long-term finance Natasha he would marry her if they drew Liverpool in the third round.

The 40-year-old made the bet before Mansfield’s second round home replay with Lincoln.

His side then came up trumps and he has honoured his pledged after earning a famous home tie on Sunday with the Reds.

Cox ties the knot in Nottingham before a party in a huge marquee at the One Call Stadium.

But the groom, who had his stag do on Thursday, insists Sunday is the bigger occasion.

Cox, whose side are ninth in the Blue Square Premier, said: “It’s going to be a hectic couple of days but football comes first. Hopefully I’ll wake up Saturday morning still coherent. It was really quick how we did it.

“We were due to be married in June so once we got to the third round draw, she said we’d bring it forward and do it before the Liverpool game.

“I said yes but we hadn’t beaten Lincoln in the second round replay yet.

"As soon as we did, the first thing the chairman said was, ‘Congratulations’. I said, ‘Thanks, it was a great result’. He said, ‘No, I mean on the marriage’!

“But I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been engaged a while - it must be the magic of the FA Cup!

“I’ve got a very clever partner - she knows how to manipulate me. I’ve been getting carried away with the football. But she reminded me I said I’d marry her so I said, ‘Okay’.”

Cox has vowed his nuptials will not affect the Stags’ preparations for the televised clash.

He added: “I’ll be training Friday morning. I’ll then be flying off to get showered, changed and shaved - then straight to the wedding. Then it’ll be a party in the marquee at the club.”

Cox revealed he and his partner have had previous personal bets about their relationship dependent on the outcome of matches with old club Eastwood Town.

Cox explained: “It goes back to my days at Eastwood Town when we got the third round in 2008-2009. We beat Wycombe, Peter Taylor was the manager and they were the only unbeaten club in the country at that stage.

“Building up to the game, we played Wrexham away and my lass said to me: ‘if you win tomorrow, you need to get me an outfit’. That’s how it started.

“It spiraled on from there and she did it again this season.”