Liverpool striker Luis Suárez urges team-mates to see off Spurs in race to clinch fifth spot and Europa League place

Liverpool striker Luis Suárez desperate to qualify for next season's Europa League competition.

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Liverpool striker Luis Suárez urges team-mates to see off Spurs in race to clinch fifth spot and Europa League place

Most players and managers might see the Europa League more as curse than

blessing, but Liverpool striker Luis Suárez believes it is crucial his
team-mates stave off the challenge of Tottenham and secure qualification to
the competition widely scorned as the Champions League’s ugly sister.

Goal setter: Luis Suárez wants Liverpool to target success in the Europa League  Photo: GETTY IMAGES

The livewire Uruguayan’s third goal since his £22.8 million January move to

Anfield capped Liverpool's
3-0 win against Newcastle
on Sunday which took Kenny Dalglish’s side ahead of Spurs on goal difference
and into a European spot for the first time this season.

To many, though, it is the London team – who boast a game in hand but must still travel to Anfield – who are in the more desirable position. The Europa League, the theory goes, is a distraction from the serious business of qualifying for the Champions League next season. It is a theory Suárez dismisses completely. “It is the sort of competition you want to play in. It is our objective for the season. “When I came that is what I wanted to help Liverpool achieve.

It looked really difficult but we have kept winning and we have just had to hope that Tottenham dropped points. Now when they come here it will be the most important game of our season.

“A club like Liverpool can only think in one way. If you get in to the Champions League, your objective has to be to win that. If you get in the Europa League, of course, your objective has to be to win that.

"That is what a club like this must aim for. We have to do everything we can to win as many competitions as we can.”

Yet another European campaign would suit Jamie Carragher who, at 33, could be forgiven for wishing to spend his Thursday nights recuperating, but the defender believes that the extra playing time offered by continental combat may be crucial to build – and maintain – a happy squad.

“It would be a great place to give the youngsters some experience, and I’m sure we will add some new players next season, so we will have a bigger squad," Carragher said.

"If you are only in the league, you don’t need to change the team, so having more games makes it easier to keep everyone at the club happy.”

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