Rodgers dismisses Suarez comments

29 March 2013 16:47

Manager Brendan Rodgers brushed off concerns about Luis Suarez's future by claiming comments made on international duty with Uruguay have "no great relevance to Liverpool".

Ahead of World Cup qualifiers last week the 26-year-old gave an interview in his homeland which appeared to suggest he would listen to offers from Champions League clubs. The Reds' managing director Ian Ayre was quick to dismiss the comments as getting lost in translation but Rodgers claims he paid them no attention.

He said: "I always say to players I have a simple rule: when you are with Liverpool just talk about Liverpool and when you are away with your international team concentrate on your international team so there is no drama. So what he says when he is with Uruguay is of no great relevance to Liverpool."

He added: "I haven't spoken to Luis yet. He was back late yesterday and we just ran the medical team over him and he trained this morning.

"All I am aware of is we have an outstanding player who has given everything for the club and he is very happy here.

"Every time he goes away, there is always something."

Suarez patently did not follow his manager's rule while in South America and although Rodgers flippantly dismissed the comments, there is no misapprehension that what was said was, indeed, relevant to Liverpool.

But the club remain confident they can keep hold of their prize asset - currently the Barclays Premier League's leading goalscorer - in the face of interest from Europe's elite.

What may go some way to assuaging any concerns Suarez may have may be the progress made in enhancing the Reds' chances of making a top-four bid next season.

Source: PA