Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has tried to tickle the sentimental nerves of unsettled striker Luis Suarez, urging him to repay the loyalty that the fans and the club have demonstrated towards him, during his dark days – notably the racial saga and the biting incident.
Rodgers feels that Liverpool fans considered the Uruguayan as their very own, perhaps “like a son” and stood beside him with an unflinching loyalty, displaying an unswerving allegiance, despite all his misdeeds that tarnished the reputation of the club to a large extent.
Arsenal have lodged a bid of just over £40 million, which was rebuffed as the Merseyside club felt the value for their star striker was insufficient. But, Suarez thinks that the North Londoners have successfully triggered his release clause and has asked for permissions to allow him to have talks with the Gunners, meanwhile speculation is rife that the 26-year-old might hand in a transfer request, to force through the move.
Liverpool have maintained their stance that the player will only be sold to Arsenal, if the Gunners can cough-up another £15 million more on top of their last offer.
However, Rodgers opines that the player himself should consider the love and support he received during his bad days and must repay the faith by staying at the club at a time, when there is a genuine optimism around Anfield that top four might be a realistic possibility this time around.
Rodgers said: “In the period of time he’s missed a lot of games for various reasons and the people have stood by him like a son and really looked after him. So I’m sure that, whatever happens in the coming weeks, that will be on his mind because it’s certainly something you can never forget”
From Rodgers’ point of view he is absolutely spot on. In an idealistic, parallel world, where all men are bound by their moral conscience, money doesn’t tempt people’s vicious mind, loyalty – a very crude term can be obtained against any degree of self-satisfaction – fame, glory, ambition, and career.
Only if Football could have been a part of this ideal world, only if a local home-grown lad had the duty to serve the people of Liverpool, only if there was a pride in kissing the badge one craved forever – Suarez could have shown loyalty.
But, neither he is a home grown lad, academy graduate of this club and nor he belongs to this ideal world. He has the burgeoning ambition of touching the rays of stardom, kissing the fountain of glory. He dreams of playing in the Champions League and etching his name as one of the best in the entire Europe.
Demanding loyalty from him is nothing more than a day-dream. At least, the Scousers can take solace from the fact that he has never said anything bad about the club, city and the fans. He has always had good words and warm feelings for them – and from a foreigner, who has a bad history of dealing with his former club; it is more than enough of asking.
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