• Week in Words

Suarez swaps with Gerrard

ESPN staff
June 22, 2014
It was Luis Suarez's turn to console Steven Gerrard © Getty Images
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In the latest edition of our favourite quotes of the week, the roles are reversed for Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez, Wayne Rooney leads the way for the England apologies and Cristiano Ronaldo is as humble as ever...

"This is an unlucky moment for him. I don't like it when he hurts like this. I said: 'Keep going, forget this game, you're one of the best.' He's the best player I've played with"
It was Luis Suarez's turn to console Steven Gerrard, after the Liverpool skipper gave his team-mate a hug when he broke down in tears after the 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace that all but ended their-title hopes

"The England coach said I was a proven Premier League player, but not world class. So there is the answer"
Roy Hodgson's genius plan to wind Suarez up worked to perfection, then, as he scored both goals to sink England

"When he dives and he tries to get penalties out of nothing, I don't like the situation. But when he plays like he did many, many times for Liverpool, and when he plays like he did against England, I have to say... absolutely amazing"
Classic Jose Mourinho - lauding Suarez but having a little dig at the same time

"I absolutely believe it was the right way to do it with these players"
Hodgson, meanwhile, has no regrets over his approach to the World Cup. You sure, Roy?

"Sorry to all the fans that travelled and at home that we haven't done better...gutted"
Wayne Rooney kicks off the England apologies

"It's really unfair for people to try to blame him for England's disqualification. He has given everything for his country, just like he always does"
Robin van Persie also called on the English media to give Manchester United team-mate Rooney a break

"The defending was nightmarish, especially for Uruguay's second goal. It came from just a straight ball up the pitch from the goalkeeper and it was schoolboy-ish from England's point of view. You cannot let that happen at a World Cup"
Rio Ferdinand stuck the boot in after England's second defeat of the tournament

"Van Gaal never gave me the chance in the Dutch national team, despite being voted man of the match 14 times at Manchester United"
Alexander Buttner has not done himself any favours having a pop at his new manager

"I thought it was some of the best football an England team has played in a competitive game - and definitely in a World Cup - for 10 or 15 years"
But they still lost to Italy, Gary Neville

"I did not like their goalkeeper"
Brazil also came under fire this week from their media after a 0-0 draw with Mexico, but Luiz Felipe Scolari put the result to down goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa after he produced a fine display to deny the hosts

"I come first, not football"
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal team-mates will be glad to know they can count on their talisman to sacrifice himself for the team at the World Cup

For more of ESPN's favourite quotes from the sporting world, visit our Quote/Unquote section.

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