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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Newcastle United defender Jose Enrique insists he is happy at St James’ Park despite rumours of Liverpool move - Telegraph

Newcastle United defender Jose Enrique insists he is happy at St James’ Park despite rumours of Liverpool move - Telegraph

Newcastle defender Jose Enrique has insisted that he would be happy to stay at
St James’ Park amid speculation that he is destined to join Liverpool this
summer.

Staying put: but Jose Enrique has been liked with a summer move to Liverpool Photo: EPA

By Rob Stewart

2:59PM BST 03 May 2011

The Spanish left-back’s current deal runs until the end of next season and his
long-term future will become clear when he opens contract talks with his
current club at the end of this season.

With former Liverpool
captain Phil Thompson has publicly claiming a move to Anfield is a “done
deal” and Enrique refusing to begin contract talks with Newcastle for the
time being, his future has been the source of much uncertainty.

However, for now Enrique, 25, is refusing to become distracted by the
speculation over his future.

“I’m just concentrating on playing for Newcastle
United,” Enrique said. “We haven’t spoken about contracts yet – I
don’t want to say more about that.

“I’m happy with that and I’m very happy here. I know there are a few difficult
things at Newcastle, but we the players don’t have to think about that.

“If I have to continue here [at Newcastle], I’m happy. If I have to go to
another club, I’m happy in England. If I have to go to another league, I’m
happy. I just want to play football – it’s my life and it’s best for me.”

The former Spain Under-21 international joined Newcastle from Villarreal in
August 2007 in a £6.3-million deal and after a shaky start on Tyneside he
has won plenty of plaudits for his endeavours that have helped his club
recover from relegation two years ago.

“This team has fight,” said Enrique. “It’s hard for players like me, Jonas
[Gutiérrez], Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan – we’ve played with big names
before.

“But a lot has changed. Before, we had players like Mark Viduka, and now we
have players like Williamson and Perch – players who have played in the
Championship and they fight to play in the Premier League.

“We’re doing well, we had Michael Owen and players like that and we were
relegated, but with this team we will stay in the division.”

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