Liverpool owner John W Henry is going to look "really stupid" if the club fail to hold on to striker Luis Suarez, according to former Anfield defender Jamie Carragher, after the American emphatically ruled out a transfer for the Uruguayan.
Henry categorically stated last week that Suarez will not be joining Arsenal or any other club before the transfer window closes on September 2nd, regardless of the money offered, because there is not sufficient time, nor quality on the market, to replace him.
It’s an admirable and most-welcome stance, Carragher believes, and he now expects Suarez to be wearing red come the end of his Premier League suspension away to Sunderland on September 29th.
“I think he will, just from what the owner has said,” Carragher said. “I think it’s a big statement and to go back on that, he would make himself look really stupid. So to come out and say that, he is going to have to be very strong on that and I think there is more chance of him staying now.”
Attitude
Carragher has admitted to being shocked by the Uruguayan's demeanour in training prior to both of them featuring in Steven Gerrard's testimonial win over Olympiakos the weekend before last, but he can't see that attitude lasting if Liverpool do hang on to a player who has openly stated his desire to leave for Champions League football.
“He’s got a World Cup at the end of the year, as well. Once you go on the pitch, who wants to play poorly? Who wants to be in a strop? You want to go out and play and show everyone. If he is determined to move he will have to play well to get a move next summer, if that’s what he wants to do.
"The fans are still right behind him. You saw that in Stevie's testimonial. But I think there are a few bridges for him to get across now with the situation and things he said over the summer. But that can always be fixed. If he plays well and scores a few goals, he'll be fine."
Reinforcements
Even if he does stay, the former England defender believes Liverpool need reinforcements, at least one in defence and one in attack. One of those could have been Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa, who is one of the few players whose behaviour on the field is arguably more objectionable than Suarez's, although recent reports indicate that the Brazilian has signed a new contract with Atletico Madrid.
Liverpool suffered a number of PR disasters because of the latter, but fears of more embarrassment should not dictate transfer strategy, says Carragher, who was speaking as the new face of Sky Sports' football coverage ahead of the new season. "In a perfect world you don't want that (sort of character), but it's the player you're after, that's the most important thing, what he'll bring to the side. He looks a handful, on and off the pitch. He looks a good player for Atletico Madrid . . . he's doing it at the highest level really. If Liverpool do get him, he'll be a great signing."
Rooney stays quiet
Suarez has made clear his desire to leave, but his Manchester United counterpart Wayne Rooney has kept quiet so far, despite two bids from Chelsea. Alongside Carragher, former United striker Dwight Yorke suggested Rooney just needs a bit of love.
“I speak to Wazza intimately, I spent some time around him, you know, the guy just wants to play football,” said Yorke. “All he just wants to do is play, and be loved and be told he’s great.”
Yorke’s former United teammate Roy Keane, speaking on ITV’s coverage of yesterday’s Community Shield, said United should sell Rooney to Chelsea if he wants to go.
“If a player wants to leave Man United and they get the right offer for him, whatever club that might be from, I would say sell him,” said Keane, who praised the contribution Rooney had made in his time at United, but insisted: “You can’t be begging players to stay at your football club.”
