Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has responded to speculation regarding Luis Suarez’s future by saying the club have no intention of selling the Uruguayan international.
Speaking to a room of journalists in Jakarta, ahead of the Reds’ pre-season friendly against an Indonesian XI this Saturday, Rodgers said Suarez is firmly in his plans for next season and it would take something “drastic” for the club to consider selling the 26-year-old.
“Luis Suarez is a wonderful player and he is still very much a Liverpool player,” Rodgers is quoted by the Liverpool Echo as saying.
“No matter who the player is, nobody is bigger than Liverpool Football Club.
“Luis is a very important member of this squad and I am looking forward to working with him again this season after he had such a fantastic season.”
Suarez was the subject of a £30million bid from Arsenal last week, prompting the rumour mill to go into overdrive, with the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea also thought to be interested in signing Suarez.
The player himself is yet to meet up with the Reds squad for pre-season training after being granted extended leave this summer following his participation in the FIFA Confederations Cup last month.
He is due to meet up with his teammates in Australia next week, before their game against Melbourne Victory.
Rodgers added, “There has been lots of speculation about Luis moving to another club but, as I said, he is very much a Liverpool player. We had an offer that was nowhere near what we value him at. He’s one of the top strikers in the world.
“Of course he wants to work and play at the top level. But unless something drastic happens, he will be staying here.
“He has got three years left on his contract. We are looking forward to him helping us get into the Champions League spots. That’s a competition we are fighting to get into. The great name and history of Liverpool dictates it should be in that competition.
“It is difficult these days with the finance some clubs have but I believe that we will put up a great fight this season. Let’s hope we can get back to where we belong.”
Liverpool’s friendly against Indonesia XI gets underway at 2.30pm UK time, that’s 8.30pm local time in Jakarta.
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