Luis Suarez has reassured Liverpool fans that he remains fully committed to the club, amidst speculation of interest from Real Madrid.
The Uruguayan forward spent much of last summer trying to engineer a move from Anfield in the pursuit of UEFA Champions League football, something the Reds were unable to offer him at the time. Despite strong interest from Arsenal, the Merseyside club were able to retain the former Ajax striker, and this has reaped huge rewards.
With just two matches of the campaign left to play, Liverpool have already clinched their place within the elite of Europe for next term and they remain very much in contention for a first league title since 1990. As for Suarez, he has penned a new contract which is due to run until 2018, and he was last weekend voted PFA Player of the Year.
The former Ajax star has scored 30 goals in 31 league matches this season, assisting in 21 more, so despite his new agreement with the Anfield club, it is hardly a surprise that he has been linked with a big-money move to Real during the coming summer. However, the 27-year-old has wasted little time in playing down such speculation.
“I’m very happy here and my family is happy here,” the striker replied to Canal 10 in his homeland, when asked if he could be wearing the colours of a different club next season. “Don’t worry, nothing is going to happen to me. If we could win the Premier League and bring the trophy home, it would be incredible, a dream come true.”
The 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea last Sunday afternoon, meanwhile, has swayed the title race back in favour of Manchester City. Although Liverpool remain three points ahead, the 2012 champions have a game in hand, and due to their superior goal difference, will likely regain the title if they win their remaining three fixtures.
Brendan Rodgers and co will therefore be hoping for a favour from their neighbours Everton, who welcome City to Goodison Park on Saturday. With the Toffees now unlikely to finish in the top-four this season, it has been suggested that their fans won’t exactly be upset if their side lose to Manuel Pellegrini’s men, if it stops the Reds from winning the title. This is clearly not an opinion shared by Roberto Martinez, though, who insists his players will be sent out to collect maximum points at the weekend.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt about the integrity of our football club towards the league and towards the competition,” said the Spaniard. “We are a football team and football club who want to win every game we go into and we’re looking at ourselves. They’re precious points for us so we can’t afford not to give everything to get every point we have left, but helping other teams is not the way we do our work.”
