Liverpool: Suarez Pondering Reds Exit?

Top scorer Luis Suarez has been quoted as saying he is open to a move away from Anfield...

With an underwhelming season drawing to a close, Liverpool have been hit by the news that star striker Luis Suarez 'would talk' to other clubs who can offer him a greater chance of success.

The Reds are out of all cup competitions this term and sit a disappointing 7th in the Premier League table with only eight games remaining.

Consequently they are facing the prospect of not even qualifying for Europa League football for the second time in three seasons. What is more, Liverpool have not participated in the glamorous and lucrative world of the Champions League since 2009-10.

With the Merseysiders also heavily in debt there are real concerns about their ability to strengthen and challenge for the game's top honours in the near future.

Suarez, who is currently leading the race for the Golden Boot with 22 league goals this season, was responding to questioning over his future by South American press when he revealed: "I am very happy at Liverpool but you never know in football.

"A player's ambition is always there, the ambition of wanting to play in elite teams is always there.

"I'm in a world-class team, an elite team like Liverpool. And if another team comes around with more prospects of competing in international club competitions games, which is willing to have [me], they are welcome.

"We would talk to the club, we would see if I want to go, if I don't want to go."

On a positive note for fans, the Uruguayan international showed understanding when talking about the situation at his current side under boss Brendan Rodgers.

"We have to realise we have a new manager who is imposing a philosophy and a way of playing that the players are adapting to as best we can.

"We hope that it will bear fruit next year."

Suarez has a brilliant goal scoring record in English football of 50 goals in the 92 appearances made since Kenny Dalglish paid Dutch outfit Ajax £22m for his services in January 2011.

The 26-year-old signed a new long-term contract last year leaving the club in a strong negotiating position should he try and force through a move.

Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have been heavily linked with the player previously but Suarez has gone on record to express his happiness at Liverpool on a number of occasions.

The club will certainly not want to lose their prize asset and managing director Ian Ayre has already responded to the South American's latest comments by telling BBC Radio: "We have no desire to sell Luis. He is a fantastic player and a great contributor to our team."

Vital Verdict
It seems whenever there is an international break one player or another will make misguided comments. Obviously, if there is something concrete behind the quotes, it goes without saying that Liverpool must do all they can to retain Suarez. It is worrying to think how much worse things could be had the ex-Nacional man not been around over the past couple of years. He is one of the best players in the world with the ability to turn a game on his own. As such it is hardly surprising that speculation and interest over his future persists. Should Suarez choose to move many would begrudgingly view it as an understandable decision given Liverpool's struggles but as Michael Owen and Fernando Torres can testify, some narrow-minded supporters will simply see it as a betrayal.

Follow me on Twitter @superbag

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.