Luis Suárez Says Liverpool Have Broken Promises Over Transfer
I'd Rather Walk Alone
The Huffington Post UK/PA
Liverpool striker Luis Suárez has claimed the club promised he could leave them this summer if they had not qualified for the Champions League.
The Uruguay international has also said he will submit a written transfer request by the end of the week if the Anfield club continue to block a potential move to Arsenal.
Suárez, in interviews given to the the Guardian, said he believes a clause written into the contract he signed last summer entitles him to a move.
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I'd rather walk alone: Suárez has re-affirmed his desire to leave Liverpool
Suárez said: "Last year I had the opportunity to move to a big European club and I stayed on the understanding that if we failed to qualify for the Champions League the following season I'd be allowed to go.
"I gave absolutely everything last season but it was not enough to give us a top-four finish - now all I want is for Liverpool to honour our agreement."
Liverpool have rejected two bids from Arsenal - of £30million and £40,000,001 - for Suárez this summer.
Luis Suárez Controversies
(01 of18)
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Suárez stops the ball with the hands during the extra-time of Uruguay's 2010 World Cup quarter-final match with Ghana... (credit:Getty Images)
(02 of18)
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He is shown a red card after his handball by referee Olegario Benquerenca, but Asamoah Gyan misses the spot-kick... (credit:PA)
(03 of18)
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And Uruguay go on to win on penalties as Suárez is demonised by the Ghanians (credit:Getty Images)
Dutch Eredivisie - Bite incident Luis Suarez(04 of18)
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Suárez was not sent off for biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal's shoulder while Ajax captain in November 2011... (credit:Getty Images)
(05 of18)
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But he did receive a seven-match ban (credit:Getty Images)
(06 of18)
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An early glimpse of Suárez's nature came in March 2011 when, after a Rafael da Silva tackle on Lucas Leiva, he slyly tugged the Brazilian's hair in a bid to wind him up (credit:Getty Images)
(07 of18)
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Suárez feigns agony as Jack Rodwell is erroneously sent off by Martin Atkinson in the October 2011 Merseyside derby. Liverpool win the game 2-0 and Suárez scores. (credit:PA)
(08 of18)
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Later in October, a foul by Suárez on Patrice Evra sparks off his most infamous misdemeanour... (credit:Getty Images)
(09 of18)
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When he racially abuses Evra, calling him a "negro" eight times... (credit:Getty Images)
(10 of18)
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Suárez is fined £40,000 and banned for eight matches (credit:Getty Images)
(11 of18)
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Suárez is suspended for one game for making an offensive gesture to Fulham fans in December 2011.
(12 of18)
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On his first start since his ban for racially abusing Evra, Suárez refuses to shake his hand in February 2012 (credit:PA)
(13 of18)
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Suárez executes a pathetic dive in a 0-0 draw against Stoke in October 2012. He later admits to cheating (credit:AP)
(14 of18)
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Bemusing irony as Suárez opts for a diving celebration in front of Everton manager David Moyes, who accused the Uruguayan of simulation after the Stoke tumble (credit:PA)
(15 of18)
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Suárez is fortunate not to be red-carded after he rakes his studs down Sylvain Distin's heel in the same game. Everton fans enjoy poetic justice when he scores a late header which is wrongly disallowed for offside (credit:PA)
(16 of18)
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Suárez controls the ball with his hand at Mansfield Town to score Liverpool's winner in the third-round of the FA Cup, January 2013 (credit:AP)
(17 of18)
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Chewy Suárez: A shocked Branislav Ivanović reels from being bitten by the controversial striker (credit:Getty Images)
(18 of18)
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Giorgio Chiellini shows off the bite mark from where Suárez bit him. (credit:Getty Images)
Suárez understands the Gunners' unusual second bid of £1 over £40million triggered a release clause, but Liverpool believe they must only inform the player of an offer beyond that mark and negotiate if they wish to sell.
Suárez said: "I don't feel betrayed (by Liverpool) but the club promised me something a year ago just as I promised them that I would stay and try everything possible to get us into the Champions League.
"They gave me their word a year ago and now I want them to honour that. And it is not just something verbal with the coach but something that is written in the contract. I'm not going to another club to hurt Liverpool."
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Rodgers has urged Suárez to stay
Suárez, who joined Liverpool in a £22.8million deal from Ajax in January 2011 and has scored 51 goals in 96 appearances for the club, claims he is now ready to force the issue.
There had been reports that Suárez and his advisors were considering Premier League arbitration as a possible way to break the impasse over his situation.
Suárez said: "I have the club's word and we have the written contract and we are happy to take this to the Premier League for them to decide the case but I do not want it to come to that. We have the backing of the PFA."
Liverpool were heavily reliant on Suárez last season, with the forward netting 30 goals, but the club have also backed him strongly throughout a number of controversies.
The most notable of those were his infamous race row Manchester United's Patrice Evra during the 2011-12 season and his ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanović earlier this year.
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Suárez was suspended for eight games for racially abusing Evra
He still has six games of his 10-match suspension for the Ivanovic incident to serve.