Managing director Ian Ayre has held the first meeting with the Uruguayan’s agent in Barcelona and hopes to ward off interest from Europe’s top clubs with a new big-money deal

By Paul Clennam

Liverpool have made the first step in their bid to tie Luis Suarez down to a club-record contract.

Managing director Ian Ayre flew to Barcelona to hold talks with Suarez’s agent, Pere Guardiola, on Tuesday and, although he did not offer a new deal, the meeting signals the Reds’ intent to avoid another protracted summer saga.

It is understood that the club are prepared to pay their star forward more than £130,000 (€154,000) per week to stay at Anfield for the long-term.

Liverpool, under the stewardship of Fenway Sports Group, have traditionally been reluctant to open contract negotiations during the season but are desperate to fend off interest in the Uruguay international, whose current deal expires in 2016.

The 26-year-old has been in blistering form since returning from suspension for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, scoring 17 Premier League goals in 11 games and keeping his side just two points behind Arsenal at the top of the table.

Goal understands that Real Madrid are preparing to lay the groundwork on a £60 million (€70m) move in January, though the Spanish giants expect a deal to be more likely next summer.

Suarez spent the summer angling for a move away from Anfield in pursuit of Champions League football, which strained relations between the player, his agent and the club.

But he has put that behind with a string of exceptional displays and is now settled on Merseyside once more. Liverpool, for their part, believe that the striker’s efforts were driven by Champions League ambition rather than financial reward and hope to offer him both next season.

After being named the Football Supporters’ Federation’s player of the year for 2013 on Monday, Suarez said: “After so many difficult moments for me I was able to win the supporters back, and that was unbelievable when I came back to play.”

The Uruguayan made no secret of his desire to leave Anfield in the summer, with Arsenal failing to sign the striker, but has scored 17 goals in 11 games after staying on Merseyside

Luis Suarez says the forgiveness of Liverpool supporters has been key to his prolific form this season after doubts over his Anfield future during the summer.

The striker made no secret of his desire to leave the club, with Arsenal failing with two bids during the transfer window after being led to believe an offer of over £40 million would trigger a release clause.

Brendan Rodgers eventually kept hold of Suarez, who scored two goals in Sunday’s 5-0 win over Tottenham to bring his season tally to 17 goals 11 Premier League games – and the striker insists fans’ support has played its part.

“After so many difficult moments for me I was able to win the supporters back, and that was unbelievable when I came back to play,” he said after being named the 2013 Player of the Year award at Monday’s Football Supporters’ Federation Awards.

“They helped me, and that was important for me, for my confidence, and for my family, because they are together with me in this. [The award] is very special for me because my hard work on the pitch is recognised.

“Everybody knows about my problems and my difficult year, but after that I forgot everything and have been able to get back on the pitch.”

The result at White Hart Lane lifted Liverpool back to second in the league standings, with Arsenal’s lead at the top cut to two points, and Suarez underlined the importance of the entire squad’s efforts during the season.

He continued: “Liverpool are starting to reach their potential and we can play our best on the pitch. It’s very important that we stay together, we keep going, this is very important.

“If Liverpool don’t have these players I cannot continue my level, because it’s too much. They know I am important, so they try everything to stay together, that’s important for me, but it’s more important for the club.”

The Uruguayan striker plays down talk that the Reds are one of the favourites for the Premier League crown but is pleased to have the fans’ support after a “difficult” year

Luis Suarez believes that the busy festive period could determine whether or not Liverpool will be serious contenders for the Premier League title.

Brendan Rodgers’ side sit just two points behind leaders Arsenal after their 5-0 hammering of Tottenham on Sunday and would move above the Gunners with a win over Cardiff City on Saturday.

But Suarez, who scored twice at White Hart Lane to take his tally to 17 goals in just 11 Premier League appearances this term, feels that upcoming trips to Manchester City and Chelsea will be major tests.

“I think it’s too early to say,” the Uruguayan said of his side’s title hopes at the Football Supporters’ Federation awards, where he was named Player of the Year.

“If we continue at this level the next two or three weeks, we can win the league or we can finish in the top four.

“It’s important we concentrate and focus on the next game. We know that, after Cardiff, we have two very, very big games [at City on December 26 and Chelsea three days later]. That will be important to what comes next.”

Suarez went on to express his gratitude to Liverpool fans for their reaction after his failed attempts to secure a transfer away from Anfield in the close-season.

The 26-year-old had publicly stated his desire to move to a club in the Champions League, with Arsenal having two bids rejected, but Reds supporters have him fully since his return from a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in April – a fact that he considers the highlight of a “difficult” year.

“I was able to win the supporters back and that was unbelievable when I came back to play,” Suarez enthused. “They helped me and that was important for me, for my confidence, and for my family, because they are together with me in this.”