MTAFUTAJI BLOG

Luis Suarez: Liverpool '100% certain' striker will stay at Anfield

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre says the club are certain striker Luis Suarez will remain at Anfield.

The 26-year-old is reported to have said he would consider leaving the club if a team playing in the Champions League were interested in his services.

Continue reading the main story

“There will always be instances, particularly leading up to the summer, where people are quoted or asked these questions”

Ian Ayre

But Ayre, asked whether he was 100% confident of keeping hold of the player, replied: "Yes, absolutely."

Ayre told BBC Radio 5 live comments attributed to the Uruguayan "may have been a bit lost in translation".

He later told BBC Breakfast: "We love Luis being at Liverpool, he loves being at Liverpool and we fully expect him to be at Liverpool next season."

Suarez signed for Liverpool from Ajax for £22.7m in January 2011and has scored 29 goals for the club this campaign.

But he is yet to play in the Champions League for the Reds and qualification for the tournament again looks unlikely this season.

Suarez is reported to have told a Uruguayan newspaper: "If another team comes around with more prospects of competing in international club competition games, which is willing to have [me], they are welcome.

"We would talk to the club, and we would see if I want to go [or] if I don't want to go."

But Ayre responded: "He has a four-year contract. We hope he will see it through."

Luis Suarez

Suarez, who signed a new deal in the summer, has been a controversial figure in the Premier League since his arrival.

He has also attracted criticism for diving and stamping and ex-Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli hinted he could be driven out of England.

In December 2011 he was banned for eight games by the Football Association after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

However, Ayre says Liverpool have no intention of letting their most valuable asset leave the club.

"We have no desire to sell Luis. He is a fantastic player and a great contributor to our team," he said.

"We have been honest with him and he has been honest with us and there will always be instances, particularly leading up to the summer, where people are quoted or asked these questions, but we are very pleased to have Luis and long may that continue.

"Every player will be approached by clubs because that is the nature of the game and every player has a choice."