Monthly Archives: May 2014

Suarez on Liverpool exit rumours: ‘It’s more speculation than reality’

The Uruguay international says he is fully focused on the World Cup and insists there is no clause in his contract which allows him a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid

Luis Suarez insists reports linking him with a move away from Liverpool this summer are “more speculation than reality”.

The Uruguay international denies that he has a clause in his contract which would allow him a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid and says he “turns the page” every time he sees a report suggesting he will leave Anfield.

“My head now is focused on the World Cup,” Suarez said at a sponsor’s event for 888 Poker.

“I had a very good season with Liverpool but now I am focused on the World Cup. Everyone knows that there is always too much media speculation.

“You know what the press is like, how they speculate, and you try to not take any notice. I know what I want. My agent tells me what’s there and what’s not. It’s more speculation than reality.”

When asked about a potential clause in his contract, Suarez replied: “No, no, not as far as I am aware. There is no clause that suggests a priority for a specific team.”

Suarez left the pitch in tears following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Crystal Palace which allowed Manchester City to tighten their grip at the top of the Premier League and the forward admits his side lacked concentration in the final stages of the title race.

“I was so angry on the inside,” said the 27-year-old.

“A week before we had real hopes of winning the league and after the Palace game, we knew that it had gone. We had lost the chance.

“I felt frustration and rage at the fact that the opportunity had been lost. I covered my face because I was so hurt and frustrated. I preferred people not to see me.

“We did everything we could; every player gave absolutely everything. The key game was against Chelsea. We lacked a little of… not luck, exactly, but a bit of concentration.”

But despite Liverpool narrowly losing out to Manchester City, Suarez praised the club’s “magnificent season”.

“No one imagined that we could win the league,” said Suarez.

“If you had asked us at the start of the season, we would have paid to be in that position. City and Chelsea lost points and we kept on winning.

“In the end it was a pity: we had the opportunity but didn’t take it. But if you look at the previous years, at what Liverpool had done before and at what we did this season, it was a magnificent season.

“When we started the season the target was to finish in the top four. To get back into the Champions League, and to finish second, is a great for us.”

Henderson indebted to Rodgers after sealing World Cup spot

The Liverpool midfielder secured a spot in Roy Hodgson’s England squad after a consistently strong performances in the Premier League this season

Jordan Henderson has expressed his gratitude to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers for the progress he has made this season.

Midfielder Henderson took time to prove his worth following his big-money move from Premier League rivals Sunderland in June 2011.

However, the 23-year-old played a key role in the Merseyside club’s impressive 2013-14 campaign, establishing himself as a first-team regular under Rodgers.

Henderson has also secured a place in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the 2014 World Cup as a result of the progress he has made this season.

And he insists Rodgers should take great credit for his development.

Henderson told the Liverpool Echo: “I think I’ve improved from the start of the season until now.

“I feel as though I’ve become a better player in many areas. I’ve still got a long way to go, no doubt. But I feel as though I’m improving. I’m enjoying my football.

“The manager has helped me with a lot of things and hopefully I can keep working even harder to become better. If I do that, I’m sure I can keep going in the right direction and that’s the same for the team.

“The manager has been key. He’s been amazing for me personally and I’m sure that’s the same for everybody else in the team as well.

“The things he can do on and off the pitch for the players is fantastic and he has a great relationship with us. That’s just the type of person he is. He’s a great manager and I’m sure everybody will want to thank him for this season.”

Watch Coutinho strike an unreal volley, Luiz heading for glory and Podolski knock a bottle off the bar

A new video featuring a host of star players has been released to mark the launch of Gatorade’s Unreal around the World contest

It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and the ultimate prize for any young player who dreams of making it in professional football.

Gatorade is offering five footballers the chance to experience some of the best teams in the world, including Barcelona, Liverpool, Arsenal, AC Milan, Boca Juniors and the Brazilian and American national teams.

Prize winners will be handed unprecedented access to the clubs and their facilities, including trips to Camp Nou, Anfield and San Siro, along with the chance to learn from elite players and leading coaches.

As Gatorade’s new video – featuring stars such as Coutinho, David Luiz and Lukas Podolski – demonstrates, ordinary talent is not enough.

The search is on for dedicated individuals with the skill and desire to become Unreal players, the kind who turn every ounce of real work and sweat into unbelievable performance on the pitch.

Do you have what it takes to be Unreal? Can you hit the top corner with every single shot? Can you juggle the ball as though gravity didn’t exist? Can you knock a bottle off the top of the crossbar with deadly accuracy?

If so, and you are aged over 14, click here for more information and show Gatorade you’ve got what it takes to win. #BeUnreal