• Premier League

Suarez 'understands' Liverpool's reluctance to sell

ESPN staff
July 31, 2013

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists that Luis Suarez "totally understands" the club's unwillingness to sell him.

Suarez, 26, has made it clear that he wants to leave Anfield, with Arsenal keen to sign him and Real Madrid also linked with a move.

The Gunners made a bid of £40,000,001 on July 23 in the belief that it would trigger a release clause in the Uruguay international's contract.

Liverpool, though, insist that is not the case, with senior club officials indicating that the clause only requires them to inform Suarez of any bids above £40 million - not to sell at that price.

Rodgers has acknowledged that Suarez could end up leaving this summer, but insists that the striker has retained a professional attitude in pre-season.

The manager told the Liverpool Echo: "It's a story that can keep running but for me there is no new news. Luis is happy. He totally understands the club's point of view."

Suarez is available to play in Liverpool's pre-season fixtures, but will be unavailable for the first six competitive matches of the campaign as he completes a 10-game ban imposed after he bit Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a Premier League clash on April 21.

Rodgers added: "He's in a difficult position in terms of not being able to play because of his suspension. He will sit out the first six games and he will miss playing football.

"But he's working hard and remains part of the group. He needs to get up to speed and we will continue to work to get all the players ready for the first game of the season."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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