Happy: Luis Suarez laughing in Thailand (Picture: Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers has claimed Luis Suarez is ‘happy’ and ‘understanding’ of his situation at Liverpool.

The Uruguayan has been agitating for a move away from the Reds all summer, but with no club coming close to matching Liverpool’s £55million valuation, Rodgers insists the striker is now focused on the season ahead.

Arsenal have had two bids rejected for Suarez, and still remain in the hunt, although the 26-year-old has now accepted the £40m clause in his contract does not oblige Liverpool to sell – but merely inform him of any bid over that amount.

‘It’s a story that can keep running but for me there is no new news,’ Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo.




‘Luis is happy. He totally understands the club’s point of view.

‘He’s in a difficult position in terms of not being able to play because of his suspension – he will sit out the first six games and he will miss playing football.

‘But he’s working hard and remains part of the group. He hasn’t been moping about.

‘It’s obviously difficult when you come back after a break but he has settled in and has been working well.

‘He needs to get up to speed and we will continue to work to get all the players ready for the first game of the season.’

There is even suggestion on Merseyside that Suarez could be offered a new deal to keep him at the club on equal pay to Steven Gerrard, with a ‘proper’ release clause written into his contract that would allow him to leave next summer should the Reds fail to qualify for the Champions League.

BLOG: What next for Liverpool in the Suarez saga?