Liverpool FC News

The Premier League star is delighted to have equaled his team-mate’s national record while coach Oscar Tabarez admits Spain were too strong

Liverpool’s Luis Suarez is ecstatic about matching Diego Forlan’s goal-scoring record for Uruguay during the loss to Spain in the Confederations Cup.

The striker’s delightful free kick was no more than a consolation goal for the Copa America winners as Uruguay lost 2-1, however it put him level with Internacional striker Forlan on 33 goals for his country and in only 65 appearances compared to Forlan’s 99.

And the attacker, who has been linked with Real Madrid in recent weeks, says it was a special moment for him.

“On a personal level it is an honour and a compliment to have reached the same level as Diego [Forlan] in respect of what he has done for la Celeste,” the 26-year-old told reporters.

“Having scored the same amount goals as Diego, on a personal level is good, but now what we are focused on is performing in the group and our results in this cup.”

Meanwhile, coach Oscar Tabarez admitted Spain were simply too tough to handle for his side.

“Spain were better in the game and fully justified their victory. They caused us much trouble and we did not have the discipline needed,” he said.

“In the second half we faced a difficult situation and the 2-0 looked very bad. I would say that it could have been catastrophic.

“We knew the reality before the match. If Spain thrashed Germany and Italy, why wouldn’t they beat Uruguay? They are playing an important tournament which is always a great motivation for a great team.”

The former Anfield striker lauded the Reds’ new signing and believes the Cote d’Ivoire international can fill the void left by the retiring Jamie Carragher at the heart of defence

Former Kop legend Robbie Fowler believes new Liverpool signing Kolo Toure will prove a success at Anfield following his arrival from Manchester City on a free transfer.

Fowler played against the Cote d’Ivoire centre-back during spells with Leeds United and Manchester City, and is adamant Toure will be an excellent addition to the Reds’ backline.

“I’ve played against him numerous times and he is a fantastic player,” Fowler told the club’s official website.

“I’m sure coming to a new club will spur him on that little bit more and he will want to do well. He will want to play. I think he will try hard in training and a little bit of pride will set in.

“You look at his performances over the years for Arsenal and Manchester City – he has been magnificent in the Premier League. Let’s hope that he comes to Liverpool and carries on that magnificent form.”

Fowler believes the acquisition of the 32-year-old defender is vitally important, and has backed his experience and title-winning pedigree to adequately replace retiring Anfield icon Jamie Carragher.

“Toure’s been a fantastic player. His experience will be vital for Liverpool, especially after losing Carra,” Fowler continued.

“Carra was unbelievable for Liverpool and, if anything, he was probably Liverpool’s best defender last year. He will be a big miss.

“I don’t know if Kolo Toure will play all of the games, but Liverpool as a team and a squad certainly needed a lot more numbers. Brendan [Rodgers] is doing that right now.

“Toure has been there and worn the T-shirt in the Premier League so I think his signing is absolutely magnificent.”

Fowler is enthused by Rodgers’ work in the transfer market since taking charge, with Celta Vigo’s versatile forward Iago Aspas expected to join Toure imminently, and Fowler has backed Liverpool to push on again next season under the Northern Irish boss.

“I don’t really know too much but I’m sure the manager has done plenty of homework. If they are anything like the signings we made in January then we could be onto a winner,” he added.

“Two great signings in January totally galvanised the club and probably took us to another level. Hopefully these players that have come in, and hopefully there will be a few more, will raise the bar.

“I’m happy with everything Brendan is doing, I think he has been great for the club. In terms of progression, we got more points last year than the year before and we scored more goals than the year before.

“Obviously we conceded two or three more goals, but I’m totally optimistic – as long as we keep progressing and going the right way.”

The Italian frontman has insisted that he is comfortable with life at Liverpool, and reiterated his determination to stay put rather than return to Italy

Liverpool striker Fabio Borini has maintained that he wants to stay at Anfield next season, despite speculation over the 22-year-old’s future.

Borini had an injury-blighted debut season at the Merseyside club after joining from Roma last summer, and the Italian is looking to improve on that next term.

The former Swansea striker scored the vital goal to send the Italian Under-21s to the final of the European Championships on Saturday, and Borini has hit back at his home country’s youth development.

“Am I looking to move abroad? People need to think more about my situation,” Borini told reporters after Saturday’s European Under-21 Championship semi final.

“In Italy people give more time to foreigners than they do to youngsters.

“I feel really good in England.”

Borini made 13 Premier League appearance for Liverpool last season, scoring one goal, and is set to feature for the Azzurini in Tuesday’s final in Israel.

The playmaker believes Uruguay are a “great team”, led by the match-winning talents of the Liverpool ace, while revealing that Spain are motivated by their past Confeds failings

Xavi has urged Spain to keep a close eye on Luis Suarez in their Confederations Cup curtain-raiser with Uruguay on Sunday, claiming the forward is a “decisive player”.

The Liverpool man will reportedly use the World Cup rehearsal as a shop window, as links with Real Madrid continue to gather pace, and the 33-year-old is wary of the threat posed by his rival attacker.

“Luis Suarez is a decisive player and one that can prove the difference. He is a nuisance to the defence, just as Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani are. They have a great team,” he said at a press conference.

“But whoever we play, the philosophy remains the same. We want to be protagonists, keep the ball and play on the attack.

“Against Uruguay and any other team, we must be very dynamic, move the ball quickly and open up the pitch.

“We are also concerned about the condition of the pitch. We hope that it is watered, because that will favour us. We will look out on this.”

Spain were surprisingly knocked out of the 2009 Confederations Cup at the semi-final stage, having lost 2-0 to USA, and Xavi is adamant that his international team-mates will use the disappointment as a source of motivation this time around.

“We are very excited and have the thorn of not having won in 2009. Maybe at my age this is my last Confederations Cup,” he added.

“For fans of football, Brazil have a place in the history in world football. They are fancied coming into this tournament.

“Playing here is an added bonus. We are going to try and win it.”

Xabi Alonso will miss the competition in Brazil due to ankle surgery, while the lack of appearances accumulated by captain Iker Casillas since January is seen as a cause for concern, yet the Barcelona veteran refused to dwell on the duo’s hardships.

“[Iker] is still the captain and he is happy and training hard at the moment. His importance to the team is great,” he noted.

“The system does not change [without Alonso], but only the players starting in the XI. Xabi gives great balance and is a significant absence.”

The Liverpool striker has once again commented on his future in the media, and says he is “disturbed” by the Anfield outfit’s absence from the Champions League

Liverpool forward Luis Suarez has once again heaped praise on Real Madrid as speculation continues to surround his future on Merseyside.

The Uruguay international, currently in Brazil for the Confederations Cup, had previously claimed he would relish the chance to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo for los Blancos.

And now the 26-year-old has begun discussing the qualities he feels he could offer Madrid, saying he would give his all for the Santiago Bernabeu outfit.

“I will give my soul every time I step on the pitch,” Suarez revealed when asked by El Pais what he would bring to a team like Madrid.

“I have done this with Uruguay, Ajax and Liverpool. I do not hold anything when I finish a game.”

Suarez also reiterated his belief that joining Madrid would be the pinnacle of any player’s career, and admits he is disappointed that Liverpool will not be playing in Europe next season.

“A player always aspires to be at the top of their profession and Madrid is at the top for any football player,” he continued. “But, do you know what it is like to play for Liverpool?”

“It disturbs me that Liverpool are not in the Champions League every season.

“I’ve suffered at Liverpool, but when I think of what it represents to play for this club, and the love my daughter has – she sings the hymn – the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I play at Anfield.”