Liverpool’s Luis Suarez admits he wants to change his public image
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has revealed he is keen to maintain his improved discipline on the pitch after appearing to have finally put a string of misdemeanours behind him.
The 27-year-old’s career has been blighted by a number of high profile incidents that have helped him to earn a reputation as one of football’s bad boys since his arrival in England’s top tier.
Suarez first gained negative headlines in the Premier League when he was banned for racially abusing Patrice Evra, before he bit Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic towards the end of last season.
The forward then attempted to engineer a move away from Anfield, citing unfair treatment by the media as a key factor behind his decision, only to eventually decide to stay with the Merseysiders.
However, he was in outstanding form throughout the current campaign for Brendan Rodgers’ side and avoided any more on the field controversy, which is a trend he hopes he can continue.
“I want to change the bad boy image that has stuck for a bit because I don’t think I am at all how I have been portrayed. I would like that to change because it’s awful to hear and read what is said of you.
“On the field, sometimes passion overwhelms you and you do things you regret afterwards. At the same time, you have a chance to learn from those things.
“I think I [have] been a role model since last summer; I have been professional, and I have the desire to forge ahead and play well regardless of what is said to me,” he told reporters.
“I’ve had some attitudes on the field that weren’t very good for my image. But those weren’t really me. Outside the field, I’m very shy.
“I realised I had to adjust my attitude on the field, to continue to play well but without the bad attitude,” he insisted.
If Suarez can prove his fitness after suffering a knee injury and return to Uruguay’s side in Brazil, the World Cup could provide the perfect stage for him to show the world he is a reformed character as his last appearance in the prestigious tournament resulted in a red card for a blatant hand ball at the quarter-final stage against Ghana.