Luis Suarez announces his intention to leave Liverpool
It’s all but confirmed that Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is set to leave Liverpool this summer after he made it clear that he is no longer prepared to receive what he believes is unjust treatment from the English media. The Suarez hate-love relationship started when he was accused of racist remarks against Patrice Evra for which he was handed an 8-match ban. He is now currently serving a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
In a press conference in Uruguay, he said: “My reason for leaving is not the money. If it were the money I would have left already. My main reason is my family and my image.”
“That’s my priority now. It’s a difficult moment for me. The coach and may colleagues know that they didn’t treat me well here. I don’t feel comfortable here anymore. They know it [the team]. So I think it’s understandable that I leave.”
When pressed to further explain his reasons for wanting to leave Anfield, he revealed: “Firstly, being persecuted from the paparazzi all the time. I couldn’t go to my garden or the supermarket. I couldn’t do anything. I know it is normal being followed by the press, but it was too much. All silly things they said about me, all the pictures, all the taunts, etc.”
“That happened every day and nobody (in the press) supported me. They talk about me being the named as the best player in England, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen.”
“I knew it because of the way the treated me. And the straw that breaks the camel was my mistake. I accept my fault, but they went too far (English press).”
“I have a daughter and I have to worry about her and take her out of there,” he said, adding “I would like to play in another league”.
This press conference comes just on the back of an interview given by Suarez to Uruguayan radio station Sport 890 where he said he would find it difficult to say no to Real Madrid.
Then he said: “I don’t have any offer yet. I don’t know when I will leave or even if I will finally leave or I will stay.
“The club knows what I think and what I want. I don’t know what will happen but I have a contract. If I stay, I will do my best here. But I don’t think that will happen because of all the bullying from the press against me. And the team is very aware of everything.”
Liverpool FC have responded to Suarez’s comments, stating unequivocally that he is not for sale.
“Luis Suarez is not for sale – neither Luis or his representatives have communicated these feelings directly to Liverpool Football Club. The club remains supportive of Luis and expect him to honour his contract. We will not be making any further comment at this stage.”