Brendan Rodgers admits the remarkable form of Luis Suarez has given Liverpool an opportunity to fulfil their dreams of winning the Premier League.
Rodgers’ side started the season harbouring ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League via a top-four finish, but few at Anfield would have dared to consider the possibility of a challenge for the title.
Yet the irresistable form of Uruguay forward Suarez has changed all that and, with just eight matches to play, Liverpool find themselves firmly in the race for a first league championship since 1990.
Suarez was at his brilliant best again on Saturday as Liverpool swept to a 6-3 victory over Cardiff thanks to the 27-year-old’s third hat-trick of the season.
He has scored 28 times in the league this term, firing second placed Liverpool to within four points of leaders Chelsea with a game in hand against struggling Sunderland on Wednesday and a home clash against Jose Mourinho’s men still to come in April.
Suarez’s latest heroics were impressive enough to prompt the usually cautious Rodgers to concede Liverpool’s fans will be dreaming of winning the league at last.
“Luis is a remarkable player who has terrific determination, desire and will and he gets his rewards. He is a world class player who is enjoying his football,” Rodgers said.
“Look at the runs he makes and the determination to get himself back into position when he doesn’t get the ball.
“Daniel (Sturridge) also shows that great desire. He’s strong and he worked so hard to get into the box to get on to the end of Luis’ cross. The back heel for Luis’ goal was outstanding too.
“Wednesday will be a great night for us. We have five games at home and three away and for us it is about the immediate future.
“The fans can believe in dreams and when you see your side score six goals, you are allowed to do that.”
Rodgers needed Suarez to be at peak form on Saturday because Liverpool endured some difficult moments at the back against one of the league’s minnows.
Cardiff twice took the lead in south Wales through Jordon Mutch and Fraizer Campbell, but Suarez equalised before two goals from defender Martin Skrtel gave Liverpool a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Suarez struck again and completed his treble in stoppage-time after Sturridge was also on the scoresheet.
Mutch got one more back for second bottom Cardiff and Rodgers warned his players to cut out the sloppy defending.
“We were probably too deep in the first half and gave them too much space,” Rodgers said.
“I also thought we lost the ball too cheaply on one or two occasions. You can’t afford to do that and Cardiff made us pay for it.
“Once we shortened the pitch, we showed greater resilience and in the end it was an outstanding result for us.
“Yes, we conceded poor goals, but we are on the back of two clean sheets, so it’s not a case of just scoring more than the opposition.
“We take great pride in our defence and we need to keep defending well.
“The great thing is that we have the confidence to know we can get back into games. It’s what we were able to do.”
Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was far from happy with Liverpool’s third which Skrtel scored whilst Kevin Theophile-Catherine and Mutch were off the field following treatment.
“I’m disappointed we haven’t got anything out of the game,” Solskjaer said. “I thought the first half we were exceptional and then we conceded that third goal.
“I think we need to look at the rule. How can you defend a corner kick with nine men?
“I don’t want to sound like a old grumpy man, but it’s unfair. I just knew they were going to score.
“Two of my biggest men were out of the corner kick. But rules are rules.”
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
'Dark Waters'
Directed by: Todd Haynes
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, William Jackson Harper
Rating: ****
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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Brief scores:
QPR 0
Watford 1
Capoue 45' 1
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The line up
Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh
Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com
The Vines - In Miracle Land
Two stars
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
