The 35-year-old feels it would be a risk for Liverpool to keep the striker at Anfield but, if he was manager, he admitted he would still want him to remain at the club

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Liverpool should target Alexis Sanchez as part of any potential deal with Barcelona, should Luis Suarez exit the club this summer.

The Uruguay striker has been the focus of much media attention following his four-month global ban and nine-game suspension from competitive international fixtures after biting Giorgio Chiellini.

And after conceding it would be a ‘risk’ for him to stay at Liverpool, Ferdinand feels the club should look for Arsenal-target Alexis Sanchez as part of a player-plus-cash deal should Barcelona make an offer.

“If I were the chief executive or the money man at Liverpool, I’d have him up for sale already,” admitted the former England captain in his column for the Mail Online.

“The issue is one of risk and what might happen in the future given a pattern of behaviour. Keeping Suarez may potentially cost Liverpool tens of millions of pounds. Perhaps £70million or more.

“How so? If he went somewhere else this summer — Spain, I guess, with Barcelona and Real Madrid showing recent interest and having the money — Liverpool cash in on their biggest asset.

“Yes, it will be a tough ask to replace such quality, but if all the proceeds and more were re-invested in a proven striker, it might make sense.

“If Liverpool don’t sell him and he bites someone else after his ban ends, he could be thrown out for years. The solution to the Suarez situation could be that if Barca do want him, I’d demand Alexis Sanchez in a swap deal.”

However, the former England international acknowledges Suarez is “indispensable” to Liverpool, adding that – if he was manager – he would keep him at the club ahead of next season.

“If I were the Liverpool manager there wouldn’t be a moment’s doubt about what to do next with Luis Suarez. I’d keep him. ” he continued.

“Leave aside, just for a moment, questions of morality or whether his ban is long enough and what is going on is his head to make him do these extraordinarily bad things.

“Purely and simply from a football perspective, what he does for you on the pitch — and I don’t mean biting people – makes him indispensable.

“And with the season Liverpool have ahead of them, that’s truer than ever. So that’s the football decision. It’s an easy one to make.”

The Belgium striker has attracted the interest of Liverpool, and his national team colleague is sure he can succeed in England

By Kris Voakes in Sao Paulo 

Jan Vertonghen believes his Belgium team-mate Divock Origi has what it takes to be a success at the top end of the Premier League amid interest from Liverpool.

The Tottenham full-back followed up a shot from Origi to net the winner in Thursday’s 1-0 victory over South Korea secured the Red Devils a fixture with USA in the World Cup Round of 16.

And following reports that the Anfield side have shown interest in the Lille striker, Vertonghen says the 19-year-old can be a big hit if a move materialises.

“He has the qualities to play for a good team in the Premier League and I think he shows it every game,” Vertonghen told reporters.

“He has come on in every game, and he’s changed games for us.

“He has the qualities to go to a bigger league, but obviously with Lille playing in the Champions League we’ll see.” 

Origi and Adnan Januzaj are the two youngest players in the Belgian World Cup squad, and Vertonghen has also backed the Manchester United star to fulfill his immense promise.

“Januzaj is someone a bit like Origi, there’s no pressure and he plays like he’s on the street. He did well against South Korea, he kept possession and he worked very hard. I saw him a couple of times playing balls from our end so I’m very happy with him and how he played in that game,” added Vertonghen.

“It’s lovely to see, and it reminds me how old I am! He’s a great guy and such a good player so I hope he can get to play more games here and at United to show just how good he is.

“He feels no pressure. He’s a guy with so many qualities and he’s shown that next season he could be one of the best players in the Premier League.”

The 27-year-old will return to Spurs after the tournament to find a new face in the manager’s office after Mauricio Pochettino replaced Tim Sherwood as boss. And Vertonghen is sure the club can progress under the ex-Southampton and Espanyol coach.

“I’ve heard some good stories about our new manager so I’m looking forward to meeting him and talking to him and we’ll see what’s going to happen this summer but I’m very confident about Tottenham next season.”

The Insider: The manager-to-be is keen to immediately begin his role at Old Trafford just three days after Netherlands exit the World Cup, while Cafu could be Premier League bound

VAN GAAL KEEN TO START MANCHESTER UNITED JOB IMMEDIATELY

Manchester United expect Louis van Gaal to take up his post within 72 hours of Netherlands ending their World Cup adventure in Brazil.

Old Trafford insiders have stated the Dutchman, 62, will first return to Amsterdam for a planned reception with the Dutch FA, before taking the short flight to Manchester.

Van Gaal has told the Red Devils he does not need a break after Brazil and he will get to work straight away at Carrington.

The former Bayern Munich chief has a villa in the luxury Portuguese resort of Vale de Lobo and spent a few days with his wife there before joining up with the national team camp.

His wife Truus has already picked out a house and United are now sorting out the paperwork.

CAFU HAS COACHING OFFERS FROM EUROPEAN CLUBS

Former Brazil captain Cafu was involved in a kickabout on Friday with a variety of international journalists at Fluminense’s stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

The 44-year-old looked like he still has the quality to play for Brazil, especially given their poor performances in the World Cup.

But perhaps more interestingly, Cafu claims he has received several offers to take on coaching roles at European clubs.

Cafu has, of course, spent time in Liverpool recently, where young Jon Flanagan has earned the nickname ‘the Scouse Cafu’.

Could the Reds be one of the clubs who have taken an interest?