Boss: It's not just the threat of Suarez
Norwich City have every right to fear Luis Suarez on Sunday, but they should be more concerned about the collective strength of Liverpool's team, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.
The Reds will make the long journey to Carrow Rod at the weekend, looking to prolong a stunning string of 10 successive Barclays Premier League victories with a win over the Canaries.
Suarez will be keen to extend a deadly run of his own; the Uruguayan has held something of a sign over Norwich since they were promoted to the top flight in May 2011.
At the end of last year, he made Liverpool history by becoming the first player to hit three hat-tricks against the same side, pulverising Norwich with four spell-binding strikes at Anfield.
And as he returns to the scene of consecutive, scintillating three-goal hauls, the Norwich faithful will no doubt be wary of the No.7's sheer unpredictability.
However, Rodgers, who will check on the fitness of Suarez's strike-partner Daniel Sturridge over the coming days, insists there are players throughout the side who can provide an equal threat.
"Luis is remarkable in his performance level," the manager told reporters gathered at Melwood ahead of the weekend's action. "I saw the three goals that he scored at Carrow Road before I came in and he's hit three and four [in single games] during my time here against Norwich.
"But I take more solace in what we do as a team. Luis has scored a large part of his goals up there on his own. He enjoys that role and the freedom and the space that it offers him.
"Thankfully, we've got other players in the team who can score goals. He's been fantastic and he will continue to be."
The Reds currently sit top of the Premier League table, two points clear of Chelsea with four games to go between now and the end of the season.
Manchester City were edged 3-2 at Anfield last time around, before Manuel Pellegrini's side went on to drop points following a 2-2 home draw against Sunderland on Wednesday night.
However, despite his side's recent rich vein of form, which has made them the only team in the league to remain unbeaten throughout 2014, Rodgers insists the focus remains, as ever, on the near future; on Norwich and managing expectations there.
"We never look too far ahead - that's key in order to manage that expectancy," said Rodgers. "It doesn't matter about Chelsea, Crystal Palace or Newcastle - we have to do the job against Norwich.
"We focus on our performance level and that takes our mind off a lot of the other external factors and background noise that may come across your way.
"As the manager, it's the job. You've got to manage expectations, it's part of the leadership role. We've never got too carried away. Around the training ground, we're very much focused on what we're doing.
"Look at our performance last weekend, everyone was looking at how we would fare against Manchester City - one of the great squads in Europe.
"For the first 45 minutes we were unplayable and that was against a group of top players that have scored a lot of goals this season.
"We showed in the other parts of the game our resilience and focus, and our concentration to win. That's what we've been working on a daily basis."
Sunday's opponents, Norwich, who currently sit a place and two points clear of the relegation zone, parted company with their manager Chris Hughton on April 6 this year.
The Canaries opted to install youth coach Neil Adams in his place - and during Rodgers' press conference, the Liverpool boss was asked for his take on the current scenario at Carrow Road.
"I felt for Chris Hughton, because it's a difficult job," said the manager. "The objective for Norwich, I'm sure, is to ensure they stay in the Premier League and I think he was well on the way to doing that.
"He had some big results away from home. It was difficult away from home. The new coach has come in and he'll have worked at youth level, which is a great starting point for any coach.
"I had many years as a youth coach and you learn about systems and tactics and different sides. And then you hope that you have the courage and conviction when you get the opportunity under pressure to put those into place.
"Norwich have changed the shape of the team. They played a diamond last weekend and they created some chances. They have some good players and they will see it as a game that they will really have to win.
"It's been difficult for them this season, but we don't underestimate them. We'll respect them and know that they are a threat."