The Uruguayan striker has been linked with several of Europe’s biggest clubs following a prolific campaign, but insists he believes his immediate future lies at Anfield
Luis Suarez has cooled speculation linking him with a summer exit by revealing he is confident he will be at Liverpool next season.
Suarez has enjoyed a sensational second full season in England, notching 29 goals in all competitions even as Brendan Rodgers’ side have failed to challenge for a top-four place.
This dazzling form has attracted interest from Europe’s elite, and in a recent interview in his homeland, the Uruguayan was quoted as saying he would “welcome” approaches from Champions League clubs.
But the 26-year-old has now moved to distance himself from such speculation, insisting he believes his immediate future lies at Anfield.
“Sometimes the club can decide they don’t want you, though you want to stay. Or a player could say he wanted to leave and still end up staying,” Suarez told The Sunday Times.
“In football things never turn out the way you plan them. The only thing I have in my head is I’m here and have a contract. I think I’ll be here next season, yes.
“What I said [in Uruguay] was I’m very happy here, so is my family, which for me is very important. I’m at a club any footballer would want to be playing at, who share my goal of playing in the Champions League.
“If it’s not this year then it will be the next. I want to see out my contract — but also in football you never quite know what’s ahead.”
Suarez’s superb performances have established him as one of the front-runners for the PFA Player of the Year award, along with the likes of Gareth Bale, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie.
But the Uruguayan believes his controversial image will hinder his chances of winning the coveted award.
“Everybody’s got their own opinion about players. And everybody’s got their own way of doing things on the field,” he added.
“I understand defenders probably aren’t going to vote for me because I’ve got my particular style, which can be considered a bit niggly.
“The way I am and the way I carry myself is all part of how I play — almost to divert defenders’ attention, to put them off.”
Suarez cast his own vote in the direction of Bale, and he is full of praise for the Welshman’s abilities.
“I love watching him, his change of pace, his spectacular goals, his strength of shot,” he continued.
“He even scores with his head. He’s a totally all-round player and I think that it’s a real shame for football he’s been out these last few weeks.”