• Premier League

Suarez makes Liverpool transfer plea

ESPN staff
June 15, 2013
Real Madrid have been linked to the signing of Luis Suarez © Getty Images
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Luis Suarez has appealed to Liverpool to listen to his wishes after stating his desire to leave Anfield.

The 26-year-old striker, who has been linked with Real Madrid, has made a number of statements since the end of May declaring that he wants to quit English football.

Suarez, serving a 10-match domestic ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a Premier League match in April, has claimed that he is being driven out of Anfield by the British media.

He has also argued that the Football Association have victimised him by handing out such a lengthy suspension for the biting incident.

Liverpool have stated publicly that Suarez is not for sale, and it is understood that they have not received a transfer request from the striker, whose Anfield contract runs until 2017.

But Suarez, on international duty with Uruguay at the Confederations Cup in Brazil, has indicated that he is keen to go - and that he will have the final say over his future.

The forward told Spanish newspaper Marca: "First I have a contract with the club, but if one day I want to sign [for another club], Liverpool will hear the offer, as it does with other players.

"They must agree with other teams, but the word of the player, in this case mine, is important. If you need a change, you should listen to the player.

"Every player aspires [to be the best] and if you ask a child of eight years, they would say one day they would go to Real Madrid or Barcelona."

Suarez, a £22.8 million signing from Ajax in January 2011, insisted that he still retained an affection for Liverpool.

He added: "The love I have for Liverpool, I will never forget. I love the city, the club and the people and everyone is welcome. All I ask is for respect for all the things that have been said."

He also acknowledged that those who have criticised him for diving and haranguing referees may have a point.

He said: "There are moments of importance [during matches] and I have lived football in a very particular way since childhood. But I know I can play tricks.

"Sometimes I protest too much to the referee. I have to take it a bit better."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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