Some may tell you that John W. Henry and FSG forced Luis Suarez into staying at Anfield in the summer. They played their hands close to their chest, got a general feel from the fans as to whether they’d accept the playing being sold, then saw that Real Madrid valued Gareth Bale, a player many identified as being inferior to Suarez, at over £80 million and decided that they wouldn’t let Suarez go for a penny less.
Others might have you believe that it was Brendan Rodgers, finally in a position where he felt he could flex his new managerial muscle after his first, relatively successful season in charge of Liverpool.
A small minority would still like to believe that Suarez simply had a change of heart, that the love and adoration of the fans was what made him choose to give the Reds another season to attempt to fullfil his Champions League dream.
Regardless of which camp you’re in, there can be no doubt that Luis Suarez staying has proven the catalyst for Liverpool to have one of the clubs’ most successful, not to mention enjoyable, seasons in years, with the Uruguayan leading the way from the front with almost 35 goals and assists this season.
Suarez has spoken this week about the real reason he decided to stay at the club. He told FourFourTwo magazine “[Gerrard] Played a massive part in convincing me to stay.
“He didn’t talk about me, or through me, in the press, but in person”
It is important to remember that Gerrard himself went through a similar situation back in the summer of 2005, so his experience of the pull of immediate success and staying at a club he loved dearly was no doubt a key point in his discussions with Suarez.
The striker went on to say “In those moments I forgot that he was ‘world football great Gerrard’, a Liverpool legend, but as a humble person who spoke to me with all his heart for hours.
“He said I was the best forward he’d ever played with, which given the amazing strikers that he’s played with at Liverpool, was amazing for me to hear. I’ll never forget that.”
With Liverpool looking odds-on to retain at least 4th spot – which they’ve held for much of this season – it appears that the new 4 and a half year contract Suarez signed in December was not in vain and should Champions League football be secured, any attempts by rival clubs to sign the player will almost certainly be rebuffed.
Provided all continues to go to plan, the Reds should enter into the summer transfer window with the dual attractions of Champions League football and playing in one of the most attractive footballing sides in Europe this season, alongside one of the best players in world football, Luis Suarez.
Good for Stevie! but I really dont care what made him stay, just that he did is enough!!!
Good for john henry for refusing to sell. He isn’t popular with everyone but I’m happy with the way he is running the club
This is not true. I have not seen Suarez comments. But JWH has also spoke about it this week. He said that arsenal did come in with a bid for Suarez that exceeded the Claus by £1, but they played hardball and refused to sell.
I know who I believe in this scenario. The guy who saved the club from going into liquidation or the person who ran crying to everyone during the summer, saying that FSG and Rodgers are liars. Only for the PFA to tell him there was nothing they could do and LFC were well within there rights not to sell.
After Suarez called Rodgers and co liars he was forced to train on his own till he apologised, that is where Stevie came in and brokered a deal between Suarez and the club.
Liverpool should make sure they OWN Suarez for the rest of his playing career. Imo, Suarez is the best player in the world. We(LFC) got him for just over 20 million. The going rate for the/a worlds best player is 100 million+. Well, if we have got the worlds best player for 1/5th of his current worth then giving him the same wages as Ronaldo and Messi and the likes should be a no-brainer. I know people are going to say but it will cause a wages war in the team, or we cant afford it, etc… etc… , and I fully understand all for and against points. But there must be a way. Any team that has had him would suffer without him, We need to make Suarez BELONG to LFC and for LFC to BELONG to Suarez. Like Gerrard. I know he’s a local lad but surely with the success that it looks like Rogers can bring surely we can woo him. And for any other players currently there or players who may be drafted in in the future, you make it plain and simple ” Suarez is the main man”, the club and him are as one. If not then they can find another club. Who would not want to play with the best in the world.
I just want to know where are all the BR haters.. He has done amazing job.. some people still wanted king Kenny(love him) DALGLISH!!!.. but were would we be..
caroll still striker.. suarez gone..
I would hate to think.. around eight on the table..
come on reds.. dare to dream.. dare to back a young manager that is not a big name(special one) boring football..
most fun watching football for the last 15 years..
agree. was happy when he was appointed. last year was his ‘free’ year. this year i expected good things and haven’t been disappointed. we are scoring lots, which is something we didn’t do under dalglish. we used to dominate games under him and draw 1 – 1. they scored with their only attack. it was like listening to a broken record after a while listening to him
I know what you mean Joel.
BR & FSG Haters all very quick to dish out stick and insults like they are hot potatoes but not one, that I’ve seen, has been man/woman enough to admit they were wrong or to apologize to some of their victims.
It’s ok BR & FSG trollers……. we all forgive you. Welcome back to ‘reality’…. It’s quite fun isn’t it?
Well said Tim…
Digger ‘paranoid’ Souness.
Have you converted yet or still holding out for BR to fail?
I think Suarez stayed because nobody be able to meet FSG asking price. Be afraid for the next transfer window when some stupid clubs from Spain offering 80m++ for Suarez.
so liverpool forced suarez to stay in the summer. tell me something we dont actually know, we all knew suarez wanted to leave, and we all knew liverpool refused to let him go. that means liverpool forced him to stay, not rocket science is it. so not really a knew news story either. the things some people will do to get headlines.
The questns of Who & what made Suarez to stay shld be buried by nw! C’mon Kops wat do we get so far from these arguments? It’s time to move on wthout minding whoever might come 2moro 2 get Suarez! Who knew Suarez in the first place? Liv’pool FC made him tht mch we knw. Hwever no doubt, Liv’pool cn make anothr Best player because it’s nt our first time! Right nw, all I wsh Liv’pool is gdluck & I cnt wait 2 watch it Playing CL! Think of the future, hw we gonna improve as Liv’pool Family!
Well said Shasha, up lfc!