LONDON, England, July 21 – Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is set for showdown talks with unsettled star Luis Suarez in Australia as the Uruguay striker continues to seek a move away from Anfield.
Rodgers has confirmed Suarez will be joining up with the rest of his squad for the latest leg of their pre-season tour after being given extra time off following his Confederations Cup duty with Uruguay.
The 26-year-old’s presence is unlikely to quash speculation that Liverpool will eventually be forced to off-load Suarez, who is keen to move to a club playing Champions football, League and has been the subject of a rejected £30 million bid from Arsenal.
The Gunners are believed to be considering returning with an improved offer, while Chelsea and Real Madrid are also said to be interested in the controversial former Ajax star.
And Rodgers, whose side beat an Indonesia XI 2-0 in Jakarta on Saturday, will sit down with Suarez, who will miss the start of the Premier League season while he completes a suspension for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, in a bid to persuade him to stay.
“He’s on the plane and we will see him in Melbourne,” Rodgers was quoted as saying in several English newspapers on Sunday.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him, he’s a player I’ve always supported.
“I understand the situation but the bottom line is he is employed by the club.
“The money goes into his bank at the end of every month, so he should be here.
“If he’s not, which I doubt, there will be a problem.”
With Suarez yet to start training this summer, it is unlikely he will figure in Wednesday’s sell-out friendly against Melbourne Victory at the MCG.
One player who does appear to be on his way out of Anfield is goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
The Spaniard has been heavily linked with a move to Serie A side Napoli, now managed by former Reds’ boss Rafael Bentiez, following the arrival of Simon Mignolet from Sunderland.
“I’ve a lot of time for Pepe,” Rodgers said. “He has a big season with the World Cup.
“If he wasn’t going to be playing, it could severely harm his chances of going.”
