By Neil Rowlands
Manchester City target Luis Suarez has again stressed he wants to stay at Liverpool “for as many years as I can.”
The Mirror reported on Wednesday that champions City will bid for Suarez in January, with an opening offer of around £40million.
City have distanced themselves from that link on Thursday, with club sources claiming there are no plans for a move for the 25-year-old and hinting that the Merseyside club were looking to create a market in which to sell their star striker.
Reds manager Brendan Rodgers also dismissed the prospect and Suarez, 25, has backed up that position by underlining his commitment, claiming he had already realised his ambitions by joining a club of Liverpool’s stature.
Suarez, who had four years remaining on his contract when he signed up to improved terms in the summer, told Liverpoolfc.com: “I have a very long contract here and it’s a dream come true to be playing at a club like Liverpool.
“Now I’m here it’s all about enjoying myself and trying to be here for as many years as I can, because I’m at a club where I’m very happy, my family is happy, I’ve got fantastic team-mates and a manager from whom I’m learning so much.
“As a player, it’s vital to have the backing of your manager and so I think that the confidence Brendan is showing in myself and the team as a whole is very important and it’s down to us to repay that trust out there on the pitch.
“Let’s hope we can keep improving. I’m working well and I’m very happy at a club where I’ve always wanted to be. At a club to whom I’m very grateful for the trust everyone is showing in me, a club with amazing supporters and team-mates who are all great people.
“The other important thing is that the squad is very united. In spite of not getting the results we would have liked, we have a great spirit of togetherness and let’s hope we can continue to pick up points.”
Rodgers said at his press conference today that Suarez’s best form is still to come and the manager is confident it will be witnessed with Liverpool as he seeks to build his team around the striker.
“He is not for sale. There will be no bidding war. He’s staying here,” Rodgers said.
Of Suarez’s 11 goals this season, eight have come in 11 Barclays Premier League matches, making him joint top scorer with Manchester United’s Robin van Persie and seeing him hailed as the Prem’s best player by team-mate Jamie Carragher.
Suarez’s league tally since joining Liverpool from Ajax for £22.75million in January 2011 is impressive with 24 goals in 55 matches.
Rodgers also expressed confidence that contract discussions with 17-year-old Raheem Sterling, who made his England debut in the friendly against Sweden on Wednesday, would be resolved “without issue”.
“I think Raheem himself, his representatives and his family know he is at the best club he could ever be at in terms of his development, short and long-term,” Rodgers said.
With Suarez seemingly settled, the South American is urging supporters of rival clubs to treat him fairly.
He has frequently been accused of diving and last season was found guilty by the Football Association of racially abusing Patrice Evra during a game against Manchester United, bringing about an eight-match ban.
Suarez said: “I think you need to really know a person before you criticise them or speak out about them.
“I think sometimes the opposition fans are more interested in booing Luis Suarez for the problems he had or because he’s gone down for something than they are in their own team.
“I think that each set of supporters should just worry about their own team and leave their opponents well alone, just like the Liverpool fans do.
“I think our fans are the perfect example and always show how to help the team by wanting to get behind the side. It doesn’t matter who the opposition are, the only thing they want is for their team to win by giving a lift to the players with their support.
“That’s what the other clubs’ fans need to do, get behind their own side and not just think about Suarez, because all that does is motivate me even more to do well.”
