Wantaway Luis thinks so and is ready to tell Anfield chiefs that he would like to join the Gunners

rsenal expect Luis Suarez to tell Liverpool on Thursday that he wants to leave for London.
It would be the latest twist in an increasingly bitter saga that escalated on Wednesday when Liverpool
owner John W Henry reacted to Arsenal’s latest bid of £40,000,001 by tweeting: ‘What are they smoking at the Emirates Stadium?’
That offer, which triggered a clause in Suarez’s contract, was rejected and although Arsenal remain in touch with
Liverpool, Anfield manager Brendan Rodgers on Wednesday reiterated the club’s determination to retain their Uruguay striker.

Saying his goodbyes? Luis Suarez has made no secret of his desire to leave Liverpool

‘If Arsenal want the player, then they have to produce the value for the player,’ he said. ‘There
was an offer two weeks ago of £35m. Two weeks later it is now £40million and £1 — I don’t think it is anywhere near what he is worth. But it is two-fold, really. A player may want to go but then somebody has to pay the value of that player.’

Suarez made his first appearance in a red shirt since April 21 during Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Melbourne Victory on Wednesday and received a thunderous ovation when he came on in the 72nd minute at the MCG before setting up the second goal for Iago Aspas.

Real Madrid remain in the picture in the pursuit of Suarez and the fact they have sold Gonzalo Higuain to Napoli has left room in their squad for a new striker. Suarez said at the beginning of the summer, when he first voiced his discontent, that the Bernabeu would be his dream move.

Rodgers, however, is unmoved. He has had a number of conversations with Suarez at Liverpool’s base in Melbourne and will have more discussions with the 26-year-old when they arrive in Bangkok on Thursday.

Power struggle: Brendan Rodgers and John W Henry are keen to see Suarez remain at Anfield

‘For me, it is work as normal,’ said Rodgers. ‘There is no change for me or for him. He just needs to get on with getting himself fit. Until somebody tells me something different, that is what all my concentration will be on. I am not worried about it messing with his head but there will be no games played at Liverpool.

‘Luis is part of the group and he knows the standard you have to meet at this club, on and off the field.’

Suarez’s appearance in Melbourne allayed fears he would not be in the right frame of mind to play following Arsenal’s bid and while his demeanour was not outgoing — he didn’t celebrate when Liverpool scored — it was different away from the cameras.

In the tunnel area, Suarez was happy to pose for photographs and sign autographs, while he took part in group activities at the team hotel during the day.

Attitude problem? Brendan Rodgers is adamant that that is not the case

Rodgers has had no complaints with Suarez’s attitude since the striker returned from Montevideo.

‘It was a long flight,’ Rodgers said. ‘He met up with the others on Sunday and then trained a double session on Monday, did another session on Tuesday and then played some of the game, so he is a wee bit weary.

‘He’s surrounded by speculation but he is here with us and he is working with the group. He’s very much a Liverpool player and in the coming weeks we need to get him up to speed to ensure he’s fit and raring to go for the beginning of the season

‘But he said he was OK to be involved. He said he was OK to go on to the pitch and his concentration was fine. The bid may be a distraction but players are paid enough money now to produce for their clubs and he just has to keep his professionalism, which he has done.’

Looking elsewhere? Suarez hopes to join Arsenal

Rodgers believes Suarez owes a debt of gratitude to the fans who have backed him throughout his time at the club and said: ‘The support he has received from the supporters and people of Liverpool has been unrivalled despite the fact he has missed a lot of games for various reasons.

‘They have stood by him like a son and looked after him. Whatever happens in the coming weeks I am sure that will be something in his mind.’

Former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness echoed that view and claimed Suarez should feel a duty to help his side get back into the top four.

Sense of duty? Graeme Souness believes Suarez should stay at Liverpool

‘He should stay at Liverpool, be a company man and try to get them into the Champions League,’ said the former Scotland midfielder.

‘Real Madrid are arguably the biggest club in the world and I could live with that. But leaving Liverpool for another English team is not going to endear him to any Liverpool fan.’

Unless Liverpool receive an offer that matches their valuation, Suarez cannot talk to any other club as he is a Liverpool employee with three years left on his contract.

The £40m clause means Liverpool only have to tell him they have received an offer.