Suarez vows to help Liverpool finish in top four after winning award

Luiz Suarez has vowed to help Liverpool secure Champions League qualification after being named as the Premier League player of the month for December.

The Uruguay international was in sparkling form at the end of the year as he became the first player in Premier League history to score 10 goals in a calendar month, taking his tally for the season to a staggering 20 strikes in 15 games.

If Liverpool continue at this level we can finish in the top four, which we want

Luis Suarez

And with the Reds currently fourth in the table and six points behind leaders Arsenal, the 26-year-old underlined his burning desire to help Brendan Rodgers’ men qualify for Europe’s elite club competition.

“It’s so important when you work hard on the pitch and they recognise it when you win these prizes,” Suarez told Sky Sports News.

“On the pitch I try to help Liverpool and I try to help the squad, and I think for confidence it is very good. If Liverpool continue at this level we can finish in the top four, which we want.”

Suarez’s 10 goals in December included a stunning four-goal haul in the 5-1 win over Norwich City at Anfield.

Meanwhile, Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has been named as the Premier League manager of the month for December.

The Citizens, who are currently one point behind Arsenal, were unbeaten last month and picked up six wins and a draw to earn the 60-year-old the award for the first time.

Manchester United’s David Moyes, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and Everton manager Roberto Martinez were the other managers in contention for the December prize.