Uruguay full-back Alvaro Pereira has highlighted the importance of striker Luis Suarez to the national team.

The Liverpool frontman scored a free kick in his side's defeat to Spain in the Confederations Cup group clash before guiding his nation to a victory over Nigeria.

"In Uruguay, all of the boys are small in terms of stature and [Suarez] is the number one player in the country," Pereira told Goal.com. "There are not many players like him. He's really pulling through for us now and we just hope he has a great Confederations Cup."

Meanwhile, there remains doubt over his future at Anfield following his claims that he is open to a move to Real Madrid.