Rodgers Gives Suarez Update After Striker Returns To Train With Squad

With the summer transfer window now open, there is plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Brendan Rodgers has given an update on Luis Suarez.

Brendan Rodgers fully expects Luis Suarez to stay at Liverpool despite the player hinting he wants out of Anfield amid interest from Arsenal, according to the Telegraph.

The Uruguayan has been given extended leave after taking part in the Confederations Cup last month but has given several interviews back in his homeland over the last few few weeks where he’s given clear indications he wants to leave Liverpool this summer.

Arsenal saw an opening bid of £30m rejected earlier this month but are expected to go back in with an improved offer soon with Arsene Wenger seemingly confident he can lure the controversial hitman to the Emirates.

Suarez has now linked-up with the rest of the Liverpool squad in Melbourne and took part in his first training session on Monday morning, and boss Brendan Rodgers claims that while he’s yet to hold any face-to-face talks, he fully expects the striker to remain at Anfield despite all the speculation over his future.

“I haven’t had it (talks with Suárez) yet,” Rodgers said. “We only arrived late last night, he arrived earlier than the rest of us, but as we have always been as a club, I am quite relaxed about it.

“Luis is here as expected, he is an integral part of squad and we will chat at some stage.

“He will train today and we will communicate over next few weeks, but we have spoken quite a lot of the summer.

“We will chat more today, but he is a Liverpool player and he will be part of the group. You could see his closeness with squad last night.

“Do I expect him to stay? Very much so. A lot has been said in the off-season, but the reality is that he is very much a player of importance.

“Every player has a value and a worth, but it doesn’t mean we are going to sell him.” Rodgers is quoted as saying by the Telegraph.

Liverpool continue their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Melbourne Victory on Wednesday and Rodgers confirmed Suarez will play some part in the game. When asked if the 26-year-old will feature, he said:

“Absolutely,” Rodgers said. “He has reported back for training and had a good rest.

“The players are not quite up to 90 minutes yet, in Indonesia on Saturday I played a team for about 60 minutes and looked to make changes, but all players will be involved and have some part to play because it is about our preparation.”

Suarez’s future could become a little clearer later today as Rodgers is expected to meet with the player to hold face-to-face talks. How those discussions go or what Suarez’s intentions are remains to be seen. Will the striker confirm in person that he wants to leave? Will Rodgers tell him he won’t be sold at any price? Or will an amicable solution be agreed? We’ll have to wait and find out.

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