Liverpool owner insists Luis Suarez will not be sold

Luis Suarez in action during an open training session at Anfield on August 5, 2013 (Getty Images)

Just hours after Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was ruled out of tonight’s friendly against Valerenga, the club’s owner John W. Henry came out and issued a strong statement that Suarez will not be sold under any circumstances.

Speculation emerged, after the Uruguayan’s sudden injury that the club might be getting ready to sell the forward amidst interest from Real Madrid and Arsenal. Players, whose transfers were impending, have in the past been dropped from the squad under similar circumstances.

Henry was in defiant mood as he addressed the media and insisted that Liverpool was a buying club and not a selling one, reports the Daily Star. He also quashed talk of his firm, Fenway Sports Group, trying to sell off the club to other interested parties, after just three years in charge.

Speaking at a reception at the American embassy in Oslo, Henry said: “We have no intention of selling one of the best players in the world to one of our rivals. We like to buy stuff, not sell.”

“Luis Suarez is very much a Liverpool player – there is no real value in discussing it unless someone comes close to the valuation.”

“This is a football club that has stood by him in some of the darkest moments of his career.” Henry went on to say.

Arsenal made a cheeky £40m and £1 bid, which was promptly rejected, while Spanish giants Real Madrid are also said to be interested in the controversial striker.

The Guardian meanwhile, is reporting that Suarez has reiterated his bid to leave the Anfield club and join Arsenal.