FOR the better part of Tuesday I was resigned to the idea of Luis Suarez leaving Liverpool Football Club.
We all were, I guess. That interview conducted by The Guardian’s Sid Lowe seemed to be the final nail in the coffin: a seemingly choreographed move from the Suarez camp aimed to create more distance between him and the fans of LFC; the last standing bridge went up in flames.
Not that it came as a surprise, mind you. In reality he finally confirmed what he has hinted since the Confederations Cup and what we already knew: he wanted out. We weren’t good enough for him anymore. Hard to accept initially. But seriously, Luis, Arsenal? It didn’t make any sense.
The real surprise came the day after…
You could sense something was in the air when John W. Henry arrived in Oslo ahead of Liverpool’s pre-season game against Vålerenga. That’s actually the advantage of not having an owner overseeing things at close range on a day to day basis: when he does show his face you know something is up. It adds weight; people stop and listen, and he’s got everyone’s attention.
The message was indeed delivered, calmly but firm: You don’t make the rules, son. We do. He said what he came to say, and everyone listened. Foot firmly planted, with little room for doubt or interpretation.
Cue a certain someone finding himself in a bit of a pickle…
His little gamble didn’t pay off like he and his advisors probably hoped and thought it would. I say gamble because it was by no means a certainty the owners and Brendan Rodgers would give in to his public request, even though it has happened before at the club. But he probably thought some added pressure would see history repeating itself.
Not this time though. Instead of Liverpool FC clearing the path for another top striker to leave he got a resounding ‘no way’ from Henry, while Rodgers told him to go sit in the corner and wait for instructions. He took the risk and seems to end up paying for it.
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So, now what; is it still possible for Luis Suarez to regain the trust of the Anfield faithful? Is it possible that he will in fact accept the situation, knuckle down and go back to being his usual self – or will we see a deflated and disillusioned shell of a player going into Torres-mode, waiting for January or next summer?
I obviously can’t speak for everyone, but as far as the first question is concerned I’d like to think the answer is ‘yes’. Even though football fans have elephant memories and many probably will demand a little extra from him in order to fully trust him again, we’re all deep down a bunch of softies. Forgive and forget – if you show us you mean it, out there on the pitch, where it really matters.
Whether or not he’s capable of accepting the club’s decision, apologise and go back to giving everything for the cause is a different matter. Based on his previous behaviour and his public flirting with other clubs this summer I’d say he has it in him to dig his heels in and half-arse it until the club becomes fed up and wants him gone. Conversely, I also think he’s capable of shaking it all off, keep his nose clean and play out of his skin for another season; if not only to make sure he gets his move next summer. I don’t think the fierce competitor in him would accept not playing football or not leaving everything on the pitch.
I still think there is a twist in this saga though; either in the shape of a foreign club coming in with a late and tempting bid, or by Suarez taking legal action and thus making the situation poisonous and unbearable.
But the main thing is that we got some assurance about not being bullied into selling to another club in the Premier League, and certainly not to a direct rival. Which was exactly what we needed to hear. It may prove to be insignificant in the end, but right now it feels like a small victory – a reason to be proud – and in the long run a statement like this can prove to be invaluable for both Brendan Rodgers and FSG.
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We can’t really believe a word out of Henrys mouth. It’s nearly the exact same waffle he gave about Torres , a month b4 he sold him . If a big offer comes in he will sell Suarez . He is just after more cash
If he is, good for him. Nothing wrong with getting as much as possible!!! 50 million were just fine for Torres, the fact we bought Carrol and downing for the same amount, is a shame
Swap suarez for diego costa and 20 million,atletico madrid got money after selling falcao for 50 million,and they are in the champions league,suarez is a disgrace the way he has behaved and we are better geting rid of him now,get costa and buy another top player with the twenty million,if suarez stays don’t think he gona be same player for us after all that has gone on. Fingers crossed!
No doubt he (suarez) gona be sold..but is very foolish of him forcing a transfer to our foe(Arsenal). Remember we have not (lfc) convincely beat arsenal for years now..
Never mind that vicky, arsenal were doing their bidding on the cheap! If they opened the bid at 45plus and enqreased it to 55 Ish…..2 months ago. I’m sure a deal would have been agreed. Liverpool gets 3 players to adequately replace his contribution , and arsenal have a tittle challange before the frog retires. However , the manner and the timing were /are wrong. It damages our club. It’s that simple. Tell me , what would 40 million buy you today? As for the pound, not even a coffee in a run down caffee 😉
They key message in the headline. Granted, we don’t offer CL football but you can’t buy LFC players in the cheap! If arsenal hadn’t come in with the 35 million bid and then 40+1 things might have been different. Like I said before, if we sold him for 40 million, people will have made us laughing stock. Arsenal would have got a year service and still sold him for a handsome profit. Opening the door for other clubs to do the same for our future starts etc. If arsenal had taken things seriously earlier in the transfer window, and bid 45 million as opening bid, rising quickly to 55….maybe we would have done business but the manner which his advisors and arsenal went about their business was disrespectful to the club/fans and all connected to out club.
So, well done John Henry, I am impressed so far!!!
Deluded beyond belief.
Intelligent comment , beyond belief 🙂
If Henry had of actually bought some top players this summer and showed some ambition – maybe our best player wouldn’t want out
It’s pricing issue. FSG is expecting improved offer in January or next transfer window. A change of manager will change Suarez desire to leave LFC.
FSG had to apologise to Fulham last year for tapping up Dempsey, conveniently forgotten by a lot of fans, i’m afraid Henry has no moral high ground.
Agreed, I am getting fed up with hypocrisy that comes out of some fans mouth’s. short memory’s most of them, that or selective memory.
Remind me why I don’t believe anything henry says – errmm, oh yeah BECAUSE HIM AND RODGERS ARE BOTH BARE FACED LY!NG BSTRDS
Whine whine whine.
Talk is CHEAP.
It’s the only thing Rodgers is good at . TALK
Any chance of seeing Henry at Anfield in the next few weeks or shall we have to wait another 13 months?, this guy should be kissing Suarez boots for saving last season, instead he makes childish remarks on Twitter, yank conman.
I won’t be surprised that Suarez will be sold once Liverpool received the right offer .