Brendan Rodgers has reiterated the club’s stance that Luis Suarez is not for sale and that the striker is happy at Anfield.
Both Rodgers and the club’s owners see the Uruguay international as an integral part of the team heading into next season and beyond — and while the boss accepts there will always be interest in world-class players, he is adamant that Liverpool do not need to countenance offers.
“There’s certainly no pressure for the club to sell him. We’re trying to build that bit of quality so he’s not for sale,” Rodgers told reporters. “I don’t have any doubts there will be interest in him this summer, because he’s up there.
“There’s a small percentage of players who are world class and he’s in that bracket, so I don’t think it will be too dissimilar to when I first came in last summer, with clubs making their interest known.
“People will want to take him, but I think we all recognize how integral he is. The owners have been absolutely unequivocal in their resolve in terms of wanting to keep him.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers has praised Suarez’s hard work and commitment through his suspension — and spoken of his belief that the No. 7 is happy.
“This is a guy who lives his life for playing football — he’s been brilliant. Apart from those first few days when I gave him a period away, he’s come back and he’s got on with it.
“He goes away now with a chance to reflect, plays in a tournament over the summer [Confederations Cup with Uruguay], and will join us after that. He will just get his head down and work, take his punishment and move on.
“I think where he’s happiest is with his mates in the team or with his family. He just loves his football and I’m sure being away with Uruguay will give him a focus and concentration.
“Obviously he had a circumstance which made it extremely difficult for him, but I’ve seen nothing to make me think anything other than he will want to stay.
“I’ve been in contact with his agent, so I think he needs to go away, play in the tournament, have a period of reflection and come back, raring to go, to help us have a good season.”
Photo via Liverpoolfc.com
