Luis Suarez
said he “turns the page” every time he reads a report linking him to a move away from Anfield as he prepares for a summer of speculation over his future.
The Uruguayan batted away questions at a sponsor's event in Barcelona on whether he would stay with Liverpool while denying suggestions there was a clause in his contract that enables him to leave for Real Madrid or Barcelona
The first question set the tone. Asked whether there was any chance he would move here, Suárez replied:
"My head now is focused on the World Cup. I had a very good season with Liverpool but now I am focused on the World Cup. Everyone knows that there is always too much media speculation."
He was then asked if there was a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for Madrid or Barcelona. “No, no, not as far as I am aware. There is no clause that suggests a priority for a specific team.”
Still the questions came. Do Barcelona need a number nine and could you fit in their system?
“I’m not the coach. They know what they need. I have a contract with Liverpool.”
What do you do when you see reports about you moving?
“I turn the page . . . you know what the press is like, how they speculate, and you try to not take any notice. I know what I want. My agent tells me what’s there and what’s not. It’s more speculation than reality.”
Suárez finished the season with 31 goals, leaving him top of the European Golden Boot table with Cristiano Ronaldo, who still has a league game to play this Saturday.
What, he was asked, do the words “Real Madrid” mean to him? Suárez grinned. “Real Madrid? The only thing I think is Cristiano Ronaldo and that he doesn’t score. He’s one of the best in the world with Messi. I kill myself to score goals; they do it so easily. If he scores, it’ll be a pity.”
He did, however, insist Liverpool's season was "spectacular" and they had done "everything" to win the league, only lacking a "touch of concentration".
'Opportunity lost'
The striker described his "anger" and "frustration" at an "opportunity lost" as he left the pitch after Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace, but admitted a first league title in 24 years really slipped away against Chelsea at Anfield eight days earlier.
“A week before we had real hopes of winning the league and after the Palace game, we knew it had gone. We had lost the chance. I felt frustration and rage at the fact that the opportunity had been lost. I covered my face because I was so hurt and frustrated. I preferred people not to see me.
"We did everything we could; every player gave absolutely everything. The key game was against Chelsea. We lacked a little of . . . not luck, exactly, but a bit of concentration. If they hadn't scored when they did at the end of the first half, it was impossible that they were going to score and a draw was fine.
Palace game
"Maybe [we lacked] a touch of concentration or focus to stop that [goal] or to create a clear chance to get the draw and then depend on ourselves. After that, we didn't depend on ourselves and that changes everything of course, including the Palace game."
He said: “To get back into the Champions League, and to finish second, is a great for us.
"There are lots of young players who will grow a lot and improve. This year is an example for them to follow, to play even better next year." –
Guardian Service
