London – Liverpool striker Luis Suarez says that his appetite to play in the Champions League has been whetted by watching matches in the competition on television.
Although Liverpool did not qualify for this season's tournament, they are firmly on track to play in next season's competition.
Brendan Rodgers's side go into Sunday's game at home to Swansea City in fourth place in the Premier League table, four points below leaders Chelsea with 12 matches of the season remaining.
Key to their title push has been the sensational form of Suarez, who has surged to the top of the scorers' chart with 23 league goals.
It has already been a remarkable season for the Uruguayan, who expressed a desire to leave Liverpool last year after being hit with a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.
He captained the team in Steven Gerrard's absence before signing a new contract in December, and is now looking forward to sampling Anfield's famous European nights next season.
“I watched the games on TV this week and when you hear that Champions League music, that's motivation in itself,” Suarez said, as reported in Friday's edition of regional newspaper the Liverpool Echo.
“I want to be there with Liverpool. It's an unbelievable competition. It's where we want to be, playing against the top teams in Europe.
“Stevie (Gerrard) has told me about Champions League nights at Anfield. He said when you have played Champions League football at Anfield, you will never forget it. I want to try it for myself.
“When I arrived here I said it was my dream to play for Liverpool and play Champions League here. I know I can achieve my dreams here.”
While a return of 17 points from a possible 21 has seen Liverpool reignite their title challenge, Suarez says he does not known if the team can overhaul Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.
“Can we win the title? I'm not sure,” he said. “I think this season the Premier League is so difficult. Every team can lose games. Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal have been dropping points.”
Citing manager Rodgers's assertion that Liverpool are the “chihuahuas” of the title race, merely hoping to disturb the momentum of the leading contenders, he added: “We are very strong at home and we must keep going like this. As the manager said, we are a chihuahua.
“We must just focus on every game. In football you never know what can happen.” – Sapa-AFP