Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has today signed a new long term deal at Anfield, to keep him at Liverpool for the foreseeable future.
Rodgers announced the news in his pre match press conference ahead of Saturday lunchtime’s Premier League fixture at home to Cardiff City, and the news will come as an early Christmas present for many Liverpool supporters.
The Uruguay international joined the Merseyside club in January 2011, after signing from Dutch giants Ajax, and has been as stand out peformer during his recent spell on Merseyside.
Suarez has been in some superb form since he came back from his ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, scoting seventeen goals in eleven Premier League games, including a superb individual performance against Norwich City, where he scored all four in a 4-1 win at Anfield.
Suarez’s goals have hit Liverpool to the heavy hights of 2nd, and after scoring in Sunday’s 5-0 win away at Tottenham Hotspur.
His original contract was set to expire in 2016.
“I am delighted to have agreed a new deal with Liverpool and have my future secured for the long term. We have some great players and the team is improving all the time,” said the 26-year-old.
“I believe I can achieve the ambitions of winning trophies and playing at the very highest level with Liverpool. My aim is to help get us there as quickly as possible.”
Suarez’s relationship with leading figures at Anfield has improved significantly since he attempted to force a move to Arsenal in the summer.
The Gunners made two bids for the Uruguay international, including a club-record offer of £40m plus £1 in an attempt to trigger a release clause in his contract.
Both were rejected, with Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers accusing Arsenal of “playing games”.
The striker has had a controversial time in England, from being banned for eight games in October 2011, after racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra in a Premier League game at Anfield, he was also banned for twelve games for biting Branislav Ivanovic in the April of this year.
Suarez was initially made to train alone during pre-season, but returned to the first-team fold on 16 August after talks with Rodgers.
“This is fantastic news for everyone associated with the club; the team, the owners and most importantly the supporters,
Rodgers also went onto say……
“Luis is a world-class talent and securing his services is crucial for what we are trying to achieve here.
“What’s most important and most exciting is that, at just 26 years old, his best years are still ahead of him and we now know we’ll be seeing him reach that potential in a Liverpool shirt.”
The striker had been linked to Real Madrid in January, but he will be staying on Merseyside for a long period of time.
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
