Suso: Gerrard is my role model

Liverpool's Spanish star Suso has singled-out Steven Gerrard as his footballing inspiration - and hailed the skipper as one of the best players in the world.

The Reds' No.30 has clocked up 11 appearances for the Reds since making his debut against Young Boys in September and his creativity and ability has allowed him to slot effortlessly into Brendan Rodgers' three-pronged attack.



Gerrard has been a near constant in the side during those fixtures and Suso revealed how he has been inspired by the way the 32-year-old remains dedicated to improving every day at Melwood, despite having already achieved so much in the game.



Asked by youngsters gathered at the launch of the Liverpool FC Foundation Football College to name his footballing role model, Suso replied: "I would say Gerrard. I think he is one of the best players in the world.



"He has been playing in the Liverpool first team since he was as young as 18 years old and he is still playing.



"I see him every morning in training and he always wants to improve, even though he is the best player already and he has won so much at this club.



"So I think this is why he is one of the best examples for young players."



Dani Pacheco was also on hand to help launch the new college and he was keen to echo his countryman's sentiments and praise for the Reds skipper. He said: "I can't say any different [to Suso] - at this club, Stevie is the model for everyone.



"He has come through the Academy and has achieved plenty. But he is trying to achieve even more. And that is amazing.



"When you see a player at that level, who still wants to improve more and more, you think to yourself, 'I have to fight everyday to get near to that level' and I know I have to fight to play for this club."

Suso signs long-term Liverpool contract

Liverpool midfielder Suso has put pen to paper on a new 'long-term' contract with the English Premier League club.



The 18-year-old joined the Merseyside outfit from his local side Cadiz in 2010, featuring in the youth and reserves teams before making his senior debut against Young Boys in the Europa League in September.



Suso has played for the first team on four occasions and said that manager Brendan Rodgers' belief in him was a huge factor behind his decision to sign an extension on Friday.



"I am really happy," the Spaniard told the club's website.



"Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world and this is the right place for me.



"I am happy Brendan has shown trust in me. I had no questions about signing a new deal and I am really glad to have done so.



"I am comfortable here. I have played some games for the first team and I hope to continue doing that, but I need to work hard every day for that to happen.



"This is one of the best days of my life."



Rodgers had indicated on Thursday that a deal was near completion, saying he had been impressed with the youngster's technique and creativity.



The Northern Irishman reiterated his thoughts on Friday and said he was thrilled Suso had decided to extend his stay.



"We are all delighted Suso has committed his long-term future to Liverpool Football Club," Rodgers said.



"At 18, he has demonstrated outstanding technical qualities but also shown very good temperament to play for such a prestigious club.



"His commitment is very good news for all our young academy players and the excellent work taken place by the academy coaches and staff."

McEachran, Suso, and the benefits of the new under-21 PL

The Premier League is about to undertake a drastic overhaul of the English youth football set-up and it couldn't have come at a better time for some of the most promising young footballers in the country.

The result would mean that two new competitions for both Under-21 and Under-18 players will be set up, providing more competitive football for talented youngsters struggling to gain first team action and languishing for unnecessarily long periods of time in the reserves. We take a look at five young stars from top Premier League sides who could benefit from the new setup...

Name: Lucas Piazon

Club: Chelsea

Position: Forward

Chelsea's Young Player of the Year has a lot of potential, but with a host of new stars coming to Stamford Bridge this summer, his chances of first-team action are slimming by the minute. Playing for the reserves will do little to improve him at this stage, so the chance to play at a competitive level is timely for the Brazilian. Piazon has looked sharp during Chelsea's pre-season, scoring his first goal for the senior side against PSG, so it would be a terrible waste if he wasn't given an opportunity to test himself in the near future. The new league could be a good compromise for the forward.

Name: Suso Fernandez

Club: Liverpool

Position: Midfielder

Fresh from a pivotal role in Spain's European Under-19 European Championship win, Liverpool youngster Suso produced another solid display for the Reds against Roma this summer. Some aspects of his game still need polishing before he's ready to become a fully fledged member of the Reds' first team squad, however, and dropping him in at the deep end in a Liverpool side that's going through a period of readjustment could be damaging. Vying for the first ever Under-21 League title against other players on the cusp of breaking through could serve him well until Liverpool find their form.

Name: Josh McEachran

Club: Chelsea

Position: Midfielder

If there's one footballer that embodies the notion of being stuck between a rock and a hard place it's Josh McEachran. The young playmaker is often touted as one of the future stars of English football, but after struggling to find any significant opportunities to play at Chelsea, he was dealt an even harsher blow after being given the same treatment during a loan-spell at Swansea. There's a feeling that McEachran is at a pivotal moment in his career and the new Under-21 league could be a way out of purgatory for him, allowing him to prove to his club once and for all that he should be part of their plans.

Name: Ross Barkley

Club: Everton

Position: Midfielder

Ross Barkley's debut for Everton's first team against QPR was as impressive as they come, but after only managing nine appearances in all competitions last season, he doesn't look likely to start for the Toffees any time soon. Barkley has all the raw talent needed to make it at the top-level, with Martin Keown predicting he'll be "one of the best players we'll ever see in this country", but if he's ever going to reach his potential he'll need regular, competitive and challenging football. Yet another player whose career could be drastically altered by the new league.

Name: Denis Suarez

Club: Manchester City

Position: Forward

Manchester City spent a small fortune to sign Denis Suarez from Celta Vigo, but he's hardly been given a sniff at a City team that prefers to sign established stars over promoting youngsters. Like Suso from Liverpool, Suarez was another of the top players for Spain in their Under-19 European Championship win this summer, so he'll be desperate to keep improving and would love the chance to impress Roberto Mancini in the under-21 league.