Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is confident keeping Luis Suarez after his hat-trick at Wigan Athletic.

Europe's heavyweights are bound to come calling in the summer in an attempt to lure Suarez away but Rodgers remains upbeat.

"It is hard to say it is not important because it is as top players want to play at the top level," he said.

"There will always be interest in top players and he is a world class player. I speak regularly with Luis and I had a good meeting with his agent a few weeks ago who expressed how much he wants to be a part of things going forward.

"He has is a real affinity here with the players, he is a real leader within the group for us, the supporters adore him, he loves the city and I think he genuinely sees there is a bright future for us.

"It is one where it could have been easy for him to walk out last summer (he instead signed a new contract) but he didn't and he is very happy.

"Hopefully he can see these next couple of years will be very important years for the club and for him.

"I am very confident we can keep making the strides forward and keep adding the quality to the group and keep getting there."