Suarez going nowhere insists Rodgers

LIVERPOOL (AFP) –

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted star striker Luis Suarez, seen here in October 2012, is not going anywhere despite reports linking him with a transfer window move away from Anfield in January.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted star striker Luis Suarez is not going anywhere despite reports linking him with a transfer window move away from Anfield in January.

There has been speculation Premier League champions Manchester City were pondering a £40 million ($64 million) bid for the Uruguay forward.

But Rodgers was adamant Liverpool’s leading scorer this season would be staying with the Merseysiders.

“There will be no bidding war,” said Rodgers. “He’s staying here,” the Northern Irishman added Thursday.

“If we lost Luis then we’ve got no strikers. I don’t think we can afford to lose anyone.

“He’s certainly not someone we want to sell or move on.

“He’s been a brilliant player to work with and we want to add to our squad, not take people out of it, especially a world-class player.”

Suarez only signed a new long-term contract in pre-season and Rodgers said: “We just continue to work and stay focused on what we try to achieve.

“Luis has already shown in the summer his commitment to the club, he’s signed a new deal.

“I think you’ve seen up until this point he’s in a great moment in his footballing life here at Liverpool: he is scoring goals and working well.

“I’ll just continue to communicate with all the players and Luis in particular. Like I say, he’s very happy here.”