The Spanish goalkeeper said that he would understand if Suarez departed Anfield but hopes that he stays put despite the ongoing saga at the club.
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina remains hopeful that Luis Suarez could yet remain with the club.
Suarez, the club’s leading scorer with 30 goals in all competitions last season before a ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, recently told Uruguayan radio that the English press has driven him to the point where he wants to play elsewhere, with Real Madrid rumoured to be lining up a move.
However, although Reina acknowledges his team-mate could well be tempted to leave Anfield should a top club come calling, he has not given up hope of the Uruguayan opting to prolong his spell in the Premier League.
“I haven’t read Luis himself say he wants out of Liverpool to be honest,” Reina told reporters prior to Spain’s friendly with Haiti.” He might say that the times have been a little bit rough and the media has been having a bit of a go at him. In the past it’s been difficult for him and his family.
“To be honest, I would like for Luis to stay at Liverpool, but I understand if he’s thinking about leaving for something bigger – when I say bigger I mean not as a club, just challenging for titles and playing in the Champions League and competing with the best. Because of the situation, because of the treatment by the media, it would be difficult for any player, not just Luis, to stay strong and be happy.
“Hopefully he will stay at Liverpool for many years, but I understand if the right offer comes for him and for the club for him to go.”
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, who has dealt with media pressure of a different kind during his dip in form with the Blues, admitted that such attention from the press can be difficult to manage but insisted Suarez has the professionalism to cope.
“I never had a problem with the media, the media had a problem with me,” Torres said. “That affects your family, your friends… it’s not easy.
“I know Luis, he is strong enough to play football despite all the rumors and all the talks. But it’s not easy. Sometimes he might think it’s just better to forget about that and move away, but it’s his decision.”