• Premier League

Carragher backs Liverpool over Suarez saga

ESPN staff
August 12, 2013
Brendan Rodgers believes Luis Suarez should apologise

Jamie Carragher says Liverpool must remain defiant in their refusal to sell Luis Suarez and believes the striker will stay on Merseyside.

Suarez, who has attracted two failed bids from Arsenal, has given a number of interviews since the end of May in which he has stated his desire to leave Anfield.

Liverpool, however, are adamant the Uruguay international is not going anywhere, with principle owner, John W. Henry, declaring publicly that it would be "ludicrous" to sell Suarez to the Gunners.

And speaking to the Irish press, Carragher has given his full backing to the Reds' stance.

"I am looking at it from John W. Henry's point of view and what John W. Henry has come out and said. I don't think that is just for Liverpool, I think it should be for football, that it shouldn't be so easy for a player to up sticks and go when he wants," he said.

"We are talking about a player who signed a contract 12 months ago. I could understand if it was Real Madrid, you would say fair enough. Sometimes it is difficult to stand in the way and that is what we are talking about with Gareth Bale. That is a different situation, but for Suarez to go to Arsenal from Liverpool, they are in the Champions League with a tough draw.

"I told him to stay. I think he will, just from what the owner has said. I think it is a big statement and to go back on that, he would make himself look really stupid. So to come out and say that, he is going to be very strong on that and I think there is more chance of his staying now."

Despite revealing that Suarez was not his "normal self" in the build-up to Steven Gerrard's testimonial earlier this month, Carragher feels the forward will soon be back to his to best if he does remain at Liverpool.

"I think he will [perform]. He's got a World Cup at the end of the year as well," he said. "Once you go on the pitch, who wants to play poorly? Who wants to be in a strop? You want to go out and play and show everyone.

"If he is determined to move he will have to play well to get a move next summer, if that's what he wants to do. The fans are still right behind him. You saw that in Stevie's testimonial. But I think there are a few bridges for him to get across now with the situation and things he said over the summer. But that can always be fixed. If he plays well and scores a few goals, he'll be fine."

Regarding Liverpool's own transfer business, Carragher said he was impressed with the signings of Simon Mignolet, Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto, but feels the squad needs two more quality additions.

"The reports on the 'keeper [Mignolet] are very good. Everyone has been very impressed with him in the games," he said. "I think they've only conceded one goal in pre-season and speaking to the lads in training, they are very pleased with the 'keeper they have got.

"They have two young lads from Spain, Aspas and Luis Alberto. Aspas has got a few goals in pre-season. But I think they are players who will beef the squad up. They will come in and do a good job. But I still think Liverpool need one or probably two more - one defensive and one offensive."

Carragher also praised manager Brendan Rodgers, but said Liverpool must do "a lot better" this season.

"I think he [Rodgers] has come in and he has done a good job in his first season, but it has to be moved on. I knew that last season as a player," he said. "There is no Europe this season, which is a disappointment, but I'm hoping that will give them a better chance in the league to really push for the top four.

"I had a great relationship with him [Rodgers]. I got on with him and he is a fantastic coach. But results are the be-all and end-all. Last season's results were okay, nothing special. They have to go on again this season and do a lot better."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
Close