Arsenal’s Mesut Özil different to Luis Suárez, says Brendan Rodgers

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Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers reckons Arsenal's Mesut Ozil is a very different type of player to Reds star Luis Suarez

Brendan Rodgers believes Mesut Özil is a “wonderful talent” – but the Liverpool manager feels the German is a different type of player to Luis Suárez.

The Gunners and the Reds will both be relying on their respective talismans when Arsène Wenger’s Premier League leaders take on third-placed Liverpool at The Emirates on Saturday.

Suárez is one of the English top-flight’s form players after notching six goals in four appearances following his return from a 10-game ban for biting Branislav Ivanović.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s club-record £42.5m signing Özil has effortlessly slotted into the Gunners side, scoring two goals and making three assists in six top-flight appearances.

Asked whether Özil and Suárez shared any similarities, Rodgers replied: “Different types. Özil is a wonderful player. I saw him as a young player.

“It was obviously surprising that Real Madrid decided to move him on but I know he’s a talent.

“He’s got a wonderful touch, good pace and create goals and score goals.

“Luis is a different type. There’s some wonderful talents on both sides and it should be a really good game.”

Liverpool rejected two offers from Arsenal for Suárez during the summer transfer window before Wenger broke the north London side’s transfer record to sign Özil from Real Madrid on deadline day.

Despite the interest from the Gunners and the Uruguayan declaring his desire to seek a new challenge, the Reds have made an impressive start to the season – and Rodgers believes the club as a whole deserved praise for its handling of the situation.

“You have to give credit to the players themselves. It certainly wasn’t an easy situation. The summer was full of gossip and speculation,” he added.

“We were very firm in our leadership from the top. It was something we didn’t want to do [sell Suárez]. This was the place for Luis to showcase his talents.

“He deserves to be playing at the very highest level but we believe he can do that at Liverpool.

“Once the window was shut, we knew there was never going to be an issue. He’s one of the most hard-working players I have seen. He’s also maturing as a man as well.
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