Suarez granted time to refocus on Liverpool career
LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers is prepared to be patient in his attempt to win round wantaway striker Luis Suarez.
Suarez, being targeted by Arsenal, was forced to train alone last week after Rodgers vented his fury at the striker’s declaration that he wished to leave Anfield and felt the Reds had broken a promise to him which would allow him to do so.
Despite the public nature of their conflict however, Rodgers is insistent Suarez’s future lies with Liverpool and believes he can sway the Uruguay international into thinking the same way.
“If we have got to sit and wait then so be it,” said Rodgers. “This is a club that has got great values and we hope that the situation can be resolved amicably and I am sure it will be.
“We have made a stance of the commitment and the standards required. If you don’t have that commitment and those standards then you won’t play.
“So until I get that assurance that we are going to get nothing but 100 per cent commitment then there will be no solution.
“There’s no problem between me and him, it is quite calm. But obviously I have got to respect the club and the team.”
Meanwhile, one player headed for a move from Liverpool to London is winger Stewart Downing, after West Ham had a bid thought to be in the region of £6m accepted.
The 29-year-old England midfielder, who joined the Reds from Aston Villa for £20m in July 2011, is expected in London today for a medical and to finalise personal terms.
Meanwhile, striker Marouane Chamakh completed his switch from Arsenal to Crystal Palace yesterday.
The 29-year-old has penned a one-year deal and is in line to make his debut in Sunday’s Premier League opener against London rivals Tottenham at Selhurst Park.