Brendan Rodgers is prepared to move Luis Suarez “for the common good of the team” to accommodate Daniel Sturridge in the new signing’s preferred role as a central striker at Liverpool.

The Uruguay international has excelled in a central position this season, and has done so under the responsibility of leading the Liverpool attack almost single-handedly, with his brace against Sunderland on Wednesday taking his total for the campaign to 18.

He is the second highest goalscorer in the Premier League at present with 15, one behind Robin van Persie.

Despite a vast improvement in Suarez’s goal tally this season Rodgers admits the 25-year-old’s role is likely to change following the arrival of Sturridge.

Central role

The Liverpool manager believes the England international is best suited to a central role – though Sturridge has denied making that a condition of his move – and that Suarez’s ability allows him to remain as potent across the front line.

Asked where Suarez will play following the €14.8 million signing of Sturridge from Chelsea, Rodgers said: “For the common good of the team.”

He then denied a suggestion that the 23-year-old’s arrival could affect the Uruguayan’s game.

Rodgers added: “That is not the case at all. It is not a problem having top players. Don’t talk about problems with players. We need good players.

“I spoke with Luis at length on it a number of times. This has been in the plan for a few months. When he played at Ajax he played in behind as a number 10, in between the lines, and he played as a reverse winger from the left side so he wasn’t quite out wide – he was tucked in round the corner.

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