KOP News # 1032

Reds set for Suarez talks

Contract discussions will take place 'behind closed doors'

Last Updated: March 22, 2012 9:36pm

Luis Suarez: Signed a five-and-a-half-year deal when he arrived from Ajax in January 2011

Liverpool are preparing to hold talks with Luis Suarez over the striker's proposed contract extension.

It has emerged over the past month that the Anfield club are attempting to secure the £22.8million Uruguayan star to terms beyond the five-and-a-half-year deal he signed when arriving from Ajax in the January of 2011.

The strategy has seemingly become public since Suarez, who has been a controversial figure during his time in the Premier League, has been linked with a summer move to wealthy French club Paris Saint Germain.

Liverpool have been boosted by the 25-year-old's insistence he is happy on Merseyside and now the club's managing director, Ian Ayre, expects director of football Damien Comolli to soon begin talks with the forward's agent.

"Who wouldn't want Luis Suarez? He is absolutely fantastic. He is such a popular member of our team."
Liverpool MD Ian Ayre Quotes of the week

"Listen, he's got a contract until 2016, he has said he wants to stay. I am sure Damien will be speaking to his agent," said Ayre of Suarez.

Right and proper

"Who wouldn't want Luis Suarez? He is absolutely fantastic. He is such a popular member of our team.

"But they are the things we talk about behind closed doors, and we will further that discussion when it is right and proper.

"Luis is a vital and important part of our set-up, and long may that continue."

The undoubted ability of Suarez has helped Liverpool win the Carling Cup this season and Kenny Dalglish's squad have also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

But the Copa America winner's wastefulness in front of goal combined with the eight-match ban he served for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has also been a story of the club's Premier League struggles.

Suarez, who has scored just six goals in the league in 2011/12, missed another sitter on Wednesday night as Liverpool ultimately suffered a dramatic 3-2 loss at Queens Park Rangers.