• Premier League

Suarez claims he is an 'angel'

ESPN staff
March 11, 2014
Luis Suarez has earned a reputation for diving © Getty Images
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Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has claimed he is "more an angel than a demon" and told French TV he struggles to come to terms with his bad boy image.

For all his prodigious goalscoring, Suarez, 27, is still pursued by his past demeanours, such as his racial abuse of Patrice Evra and the biting of Branislav Ivanovic, both of which resulted in lengthy bans.

He has also been accused by some of diving and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described him last year as "an angel who transforms himself into a demon on the pitch".

But Suarez has protested his innocence. "I think I'm more an angel than a demon," he said. "It's very difficult to have that image. I avoid giving interviews because I'm shy. I pay attention to what I say."

That approach may be helpful with regard to his future, which has been systematically called into question during each transfer window in recent years.

However, after signing a lengthy and lucrative new deal before Christmas and with Brendan Rodgers' men challenging for a top-four finish, Suarez insisted his focus is on Liverpool.

"Right now, with my club, the principal objective is to qualify for the Champions League," he said, brushing aside a question about when he would team up with international colleague Edinson Cavani at Paris Saint-Germin.

"It must be unforgettable to play a Champions League game at Anfield. That's why I really want to experience that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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