Liverpool’s Luis Suarez is unlikely to win the Player’s Player of the Year award ahead of Robin van Persie because his “style of playing is not always the nicest”, according to Southampton’s Jos Hooiveld.

Suarez, who is currently the top scorer in the English Premier League with 22 goals, is in a neck-and-neck race with Manchester United’s van Persie and Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale to win the prestigious accolade.

Less desirable

But it appears what the crowd cannot hear or see makes him less desirable to vote for.

Dutchman Hooiveld has insisted that Suarez’s history of dives, handballs, racist language allegations and on-field manner will not warrant the Uruguay international enough votes.

Perhaps in a bid to instigate mind games, this statement comes prior to the two sides meeting this afternoon as Hooiveld will aim to tame Suarez when he visits St Mary’s Stadium.

Hooiveld said, according to the Mirror: “I can understand why people don’t vote for Suarez as he divides opinion.

“I have followed him since he played for my local team, FC Groningen, in Holland.

“He has developed very well and is a complete player. I enjoy his competitiveness.”

On edge

Despite these positives, the defender admitted the Liverpool forward isn’t his favourite to play against – and not just for footballing reasons.

“Suarez’s style of playing is not always the nicest,” he added.

“He is always a bit on the edge. The Dutch are always very friendly – like me and van Persie.”

A van Persie hat-trick sunk the Saints when the Red Devils won 3-2 at St Mary’s in September.

Centre-back Hooiveld continued: “I voted today for van Persie – I have not played against Suarez yet.

“Maybe I was a bit chauvinistic, as he is Dutch.

“I can’t change the vote, even if Suarez scores a hat-trick. They have both done a great job.

“I think personal preference is key and I think van Persie has been top so far and is at the top of league.”