Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has hailed Luis Suarez and has backed the striker to lead Liverpool to the Premier League title this season.

The 29-year-old, who played for the Reds between 2007 and 2010, believes that the Uruguay international is "unbelievable" and "unstoppable" at times.

"I don't know," the Daily Star quotes the Argentine as saying when asked how one can stop Suarez. "I have had some chances to play against him – Argentina against Uruguay. And he's really difficult to stop.

"He has a good character. He is the right player for Liverpool because it is not just about being top quality, which he is. He also has a lot of character and is an important part of what Liverpool, under [Brendan] Rodgers, are achieving. He is one of the best strikers in the world, one of the top five.

"So you can see that I rate him very highly. For me, Liverpool have a key player, a fantastic player in Suarez. He is unbelievable. At times unstoppable – a really great player for Liverpool and for his country."

Liverpool, who are currently fourth in the league table, will take on Swansea City at Anfield on Sunday.