The former Anfield striker has urged the club not to sell the Uruguay international, who is the Premier League’s joint top scorer despite missing five games through suspension

EXCLUSIVE
By Lunga Ntuli and Ignat Manjoo

Liverpool legend John Aldridge has urged the Reds to do everything possible to keep Luis Suarez at Anfield and believes the striker has “grown up” after a string of controversies.

The Uruguay international, the subject of several unsuccessful bids from Arsenal during the summer, is the Premier League’s joint leading scorer despite missing the first five games of the season through suspension.

The 26-year-old, who has struck up a formidable partnership with Daniel Sturridge, remains linked with the Gunners and La Liga gaints Real Madrid, but Aldridge is adamant that Liverpool must retain his services.

“I don’t think it would be a wise decision to let Suarez go,” Aldridge told Goal.

“I know that it will also depend on the player as well, but I believe he must continue at Liverpool next season. He is one of the best strikers in the world – we must never forget that.”

Suarez entered the new season carrying over a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, one of many misdemeanours committed since joining Liverpool from Ajax in 2011, but Aldridge believes he has put those controversies behind him.

“That [indiscipline] is the only problem about him, but I am sure that he is growing up and starting to take responsibility for his actions,” Aldridge added.

Suarez has netted eight times in the Premier League this term, level with team-mate Sturridge and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, and has scored or assisted a goal every 53 minutes since returning to action for the Reds.