The Uruguay international’s future has been the subject of intense speculation following Arsenal’s interest in the striker, but the Anfield manager says the star is still “happy”

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists Luis Suarez understands why the club are not willing to listen to offers for the striker this summer.

Goal exclusively revealed that the Uruguay international is poised to hand in a formal transfer request in order to secure a move to Arsenal, who lodged a £42 million bid for the forward on July 22.

But despite the speculation surrounding Suarez’s future, his Anfield boss believes the player is fully understanding of the club’s position – and even described the player as being “happy” with the situation.

“It’s a story that can keep running but for me there is no new news,” Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo.

“Luis is happy. He totally understands the club’s point of view. He’s in a difficult position in terms of not being able to play because of his suspension – he will sit out the first six games and he will miss playing football.”

Suarez is currently four games into a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a Premier League clash on 21 April.

And while Rodgers suggests the time on the sidelines and the transfer speculation could have a detrimental impact on his player’s preparation for the season, he insists Suarez is remaining positive and is ready for the new season.

“He’s working hard and remains part of the group. He hasn’t been moping about,” he continued. “It’s obviously difficult when you come back after a break but he has settled in and has been working well.

“He needs to get up to speed and we will continue to work to get all the players ready for the first game of the season.”

Suarez scored 23 goals in 33 Premier League appearances last term, and was odds-on to finish with the Golden Boot before his ban allowed Robin van Persie to edge him out with 26 strikes.

Following the release of the Goal 50, we look at the world’s best who have moved this summer, and those that could yet set the market alight

Real Madrid’s high-pitch calls for Gareth Bale had fallen on deaf ears at Spurs, but now, it seems, talk of a staggering £100m deal has got their attention.

Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman, has been resolute in his stance every since releasing a statement on the club’s website at the end of last season. He insisted then, despite failing to qualifying for the Champions League, that their star names would not be sold.

Bale’s blistering campaign saw him named 6th in the 2012-13 Goal 50, our list of the 50 greatest players of the past season. A jump from last year’s 19th spot has seen his stock increase tenfold.

Meanwhile, Luis Suarez – 31st on the Goal 50 – continues to edge towards Arsenal. The Uruguayan is considered ‘Plan B’ by Real Madrid, while for Arsene Wenger’s, Suarez is certainly ‘Plan A’.

Joining Nat Coombs for our Transfer Talk Goal 50 special are Goal correspondent Greg Stobart, international football writer Peter Staunton, and former Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann.

Remember, to pose a question to next week’s panel, leave your comment below, or Tweet us by using the hashtag #askgoal.

Click HERE to see the full list for the Goal 50 for 2012-13.

The striker has notched three goals in four pre-season games and believes his impressive displays will leave him in good stead ahead of the start of the new campaign

Liverpool new-boy Iago Aspas believes the club’s gruelling pre-season schedule has prepared him for the battle to earn a starting place.

The Spaniard, who arrived at Anfield from Celta Vigo in June, has shown promising form ahead of the new campaign, scoring three goals in four warm-up matches.

Aspas now hopes to extend that run into his debut season in England, and is certain that the intense nature of training with Liverpool will leave him in good stead ahead of the August 17 kick-off.

“At the beginning it has been a little bit tougher than the sessions in Spain, but we know there is a little more running involved in this league,” he told the club’s official website.

“However, we do a lot of work with the ball and I think in that respect the sessions are similar to back in Spain. I’m working hard every day to try and earn my place on the team sheet for the first game.

“From that moment on it’s all about doing as well as I can and gaining in confidence to keep my place in the side.”

The 25-year-old also explained that fellow new arrival and compatriot Luis Alberto has helped him settle on Merseyside, while full-back Jose Enrique has been providing guidance on and off the pitch.

“Luis has been a real source of support for me,” he continued. “Because we’re the two new boys, we hang out and go everywhere together.

“Jose Enrique is the person who’s helping out the most at the moment. He’s Spanish like us, so he’s helping us out with everything – finding a house, a car, translating training ground explanations – whatever it may be, he’s there to help us.”