Luis Suarez: Liverpool '100% certain' striker will stay at Anfield
Last updated on .From the section Football
Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre says the club are certain striker Luis Suarez will remain at Anfield.
The 26-year-old is reported to have said he would consider leaving the club if a team playing in the Champions League were interested in his services.
But Ayre, asked whether he was 100% confident of keeping hold of the player, replied: "Yes, absolutely."
Ayre told BBC Radio 5 live to the Uruguayan "may have been a bit lost in translation".
He later told BBC Breakfast: "We love Luis being at Liverpool, he loves being at Liverpool and we fully expect him to be at Liverpool next season."
Suarez signed for Liverpool from Ajax for £22.7m in January 2011 and has scored 29 goals for the club this campaign.
But he is yet to play in the Champions League for the Reds and qualification for the tournament again looks unlikely this season.
Suarez is reported to have told a Uruguayan newspaper: "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, and we would see if I want to go [or] if I don't want to go."
But Ayre responded: "He has a four-year contract. We hope he will see it through."
Suarez, who signed a new deal in the summer, has been a controversial figure in the Premier League since his arrival.
In December 2011 he was banned for eight games by the Football Association after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.
He has also attracted criticism for diving and stamping and ex-Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli hinted he could be driven out of England.
However, Ayre says Liverpool have no intention of letting their most valuable asset leave the club.
"We have no desire to sell Luis. He is a fantastic player and a great contributor to our team," he said.
"We have been honest with him and he has been honest with us and there will always be instances, particularly leading up to the summer, where people are quoted or asked these questions, but we are very pleased to have Luis and long may that continue.
"Every player will be approached by clubs because that is the nature of the game and every player has a choice."
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''In December 2011 he was banned for eight games by the Football Association after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.''
No he wasn't - he was never charged with 'racially abusing' Evra so how can he be found guilty of same?
Better than average player
++
So the top goal scorer in PL is only better than average what does that make everyone else playing in the league?
Really? For stamping? I know the BBC love to drag up old stories and re-use them but dragging up criticism which really never existed?
And rehashing the racism piece - do they finish every Rio Ferdinand story with "missed a drugs test" or every Rooney story with "Sent off for violent conduct for England"?
Horrible journalism again.
I feel sorry for players when they are constantly questioned like this - and if they don't say anything, then of course it's 'well, he didn't deny he wanted to leave'.
Gutter press.
what! most players behave this way, im an afc fan but carzola clearly dived earlier this season, henry used his hands v ROI, rio shoved torres to the ground, bale goes over easy, young dives, terry is racist, fellani has done some wrong things this season, zidane spat, de jong plays kung fu, tevez falls out with everyone, rooney demands more money or he leaves, nasri ducks in a wall etc
Hope this comment doesn't bite him on the bottom.
It's a watch this space scenario.
Suarez is playing better now than at any time in his career and I hope he'll see the future at Liverpool rather than jumping ship for the short-term promise of CL action.
Still another opportunity for the deluded to come on board with the "only history is from 1991" whine. Of course it is. Keep scoffing the prawn sandwiches.
whats happened to a players desire to help the team that THEY signed for,compete for these honours???