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Carragher: Don't repeat Torres 'mistake' with Suarez

ESPN staff
June 20, 2013
Luis Suarez's future at Liverpool continues to remain in doubt © Getty Images
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Jamie Carragher believes Fernando Torres failed to give his best in his final days at Liverpool, but insists Luis Suarez will not follow that lead if he remains at Anfield next season.

Suarez has stated his desire to leave Liverpool this summer after a series of high-profile incidents which have marred his spell in English football. However, Carragher is convinced the Uruguayan will give everything to the Reds cause if he does not secure a big-money move in the coming weeks.

"I do believe that Suarez is a slightly different character to Fernando Torres," said Carragher at a Sky TV event.

"The thing about keeping unhappy players is an issue because we had that experience with Torres and keeping him wasn't the right thing to do. Torres wasn't the same player for about 18 months and that's certainly what you don't want.

"There were times, I believe, when Torres wasn't giving his best on the pitch for Liverpool and that is why it was a mistake to keep him.

"I don't think that will happen with Suarez, simply because of the player he is, but it is something you must be aware of. Obviously, it is a difficult situation if a player has had his head turned, but someone at the club would have to deal with it."

Carragher went on to concede the prospect of a move to Real Madrid would unsettle any player, but he is urging his now former employers to do all they can to keep Suarez at the club.

"Luis is one of the best players in the world and when Real Madrid come calling, it will obviously turn a player's head," he stated. "He's obviously had his head turned, but which player wouldn't.

"They are probably the most famous club in world football, they have the record of winning all those European Cups and let's not forget, they took Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United and United had just been in the Champions League final.

"It's not easy for any club when Real Madrid want one of your players and it's a difficult situation for the club, but if Luis went, it would be top money.

"If he was to be sold, it would be up to the club to make sure that the money was spent in the right way, after maybe not doing that when Torres went.

"If a player wants to go, it doesn't mean the club has to accept it. He signed a contract, so it's the club's decision more than Luis's. They either wait for a bid they think is acceptable or they decide to keep him because he is Liverpool's best player and they want to build a team around him. It's not in Luis's court, it's in Liverpool's court."

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