Speaking at a press conference in Thailand Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has said that the club has no intention of selling Luis Suarez once again showing the clubs determination to keep their leading scorer.
The Uruguayan international had first said that he wanted to leave England due to the way the British press unfairly treats him, and then it was that he wants to leave Liverpool so that he can play Champions League football.
North London club Arsenal have had two bids rejected by Liverpool the second of which was £40 million plus £1 in order that it triggered the players contract that would allow him to talk with other clubs.
“The situation with Luis Suarez remains the same,” said Ayre. “It’s never been our intention to sell Luis.
“We have received two separate offers from Arsenal and have rejected both.”
Liverpool take on the Thai national team in the last match of their summer tour in Bangkok on Sunday with Suarez expected to feature at some point in the
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said when talking about Suarez’s fitness:
“He’s three weeks in schedule behind other players.
“But one thing about Luis is he loves to play the game, he loves training and working. I’m sure at some stage of the game, he will play a part.”
Rodgers has also told Suarez that to leave Anfield would be a big mistake.
“I know what we are trying to build and grow, so why would you swap Liverpool to go to Arsenal?” said the Reds boss. “I am not sure that it adds up, to be honest.
“Arsenal have a wonderful history in their own right but Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“We are not in the Champions League and haven’t been for a while now, but we have to step up to the challenge.
“It is difficult for Luis, I understand that. If a team wants you, it can be difficult.
“I am sure Luis will have seen the sheer size and status of the club here, so we’ll just see how it goes. But it is not something we want to run on for too long.”
Despite Liverpool saying he is not for sale there is nothing stopping Suarez from submitting his own transfer request and when Rodgers was asked if that would be a mistake he said:
“One hundred per cent.
“He has been given a team built around him. I made some big calls to make it work to suit his strengths.
“It is no coincidence that he had a great season, apart from the end bit, and we would love to have him to continue the next phase.”
