HIM again. Another week passes with Luis Suarez – who else? – dominating Merseyside’s news agenda.
From a handball goal at Mansfield to Steven Gerrard describing him as the best striker he has played with; from admissions of diving on South American TV to dressing downs from Brendan Rodgers; from pledging he’ll stay at Anfield to casting doubt on his future, 2013 has been the year of Suarez.
It isn’t going to change, either. For the next few weeks, Suarez will continue to be the hot topic, from whether he deserves to win either the PFA or FWA Footballer of the Year award to whether he can break Robbie Fowler’s record for most Premier League goals in a season.
Way out? Luis Suarez has rattled a few more cages this week by leaving the door open to a summer moveBut discussing his merits as a player is one thing: the debate that has been triggered by another interview in South America, a stream of words that suggested he has left the door open to seek pastures new this summer, is something different entirely.
Liverpool took the unusual step on Thursday morning of speaking with Radio Five Live and BBC Breakfast, Managing Director Ian Ayre insisting that Suarez is not for sale and how he echoed the recent views of Brendan Rodgers that Suarez is happy on Merseyside.
There is no reason to doubt that. Fenway Sports Group have consistently made it clear bids for the Uruguayan are not welcome and Suarez was happy to rebuff offers from Paris St Germain and Juventus last summer to stay at Liverpool. His family are also settled in the area.
Home: Suarez training with Diego Forlan as Uruguay prepare for their World Cup qualifier with ParaguayWhat was most alarming for Liverpool supporters about Suarez’s words during an interview with the French news agency AFP, ahead of Uruguay’s World Cup qualifier with Paraguay, was the fact he made it quite clear he is keeping his options open.
Ayre suggested Suarez’s words had been lost in translation but he would not have had to start fighting fires had Suarez gone down a different path. When asked about his future, a simple reply of 'I’m a Liverpool player and I am happy' would have killed the agenda.
Instead, though, Suarez continued to talk.
‘You never know in football,’ he said. ‘A player’s ambition is always there, the ambition of wanting to play in elite teams is always there. I’m in a world-class team, an elite team like Liverpool.
‘And if another team comes around with more prospects of competing in international club competition games, which is willing to have (me), they are welcome. We would talk to the club, we would see if I want to go, if I don’t want to go.’
Admission: Suarez during an interview with AFP after a Uruguay training sessionRead between the lines and the message is clear: Suarez has patience but playing in the Champions League is his burning desire and he most certainly won’ t be doing that with Liverpool next season, no matter how well he plays between now and May 13.
Europe’s elite clubs will be watching the situation intently. Bayern Munich, for instance, will be chalked up as his most likely next destination, given Suarez’s agent is the brother of Pep Guardiola and it is no secret Juventus retain their interest.
Rodgers was buoyed about Suarez’s future, after holding talks with Pere Guardiola recently, but he more than anyone will know that a successful team – or at least one that is heading in the right direction – is what will really keep the former Ajax striker content.
Finish: Suarez scored in Liverpool's important Premier League victory against Tottenham‘I know he’s signed a long term contract,’ Steven Gerrard said during an appearance on Sky’s Goals on Sunday in January. ‘I know he’s comfortable and he’ s happy here. Only he knows what his dreams are. But Luis Suarez deserves to be in the Champions League. I think everyone has to admit that.’
They would. But when a player with such extravagant gifts is performing for a team that is not operating at the highest possible level, speculation and scrutiny follow; every word Suarez utters now will be pored over, every bit of body language will be studied.
Why? He is box office, a headline grabbing player. The close inspection of his words may not sit comfortably with Liverpool but that is the reality of the situation. Only when they show signs of being ready to challenge the top four will the worries be assuaged.
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