Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has claimed that his future does not depend on the club securing UEFA Champions League football this season.
The Uruguay international is enjoying a prolific campaign for the Anfield outfit, with his 24 Premier League goals firing the club to second in the table.
Suarez recently signed a new long-term contract to keep him with the Merseyside outfit until 2017 following a summer of speculation amid interest from Arsenal.
There have been suggestions that the 27-year-old could look to move on if Brendan Rodgers’ side miss out on the top four, but Suarez has moved to calm any concerns among the Reds faithful.
Asked if he would stay even if Liverpool fail to finish in the top four, he told FourFourTwo magazine: “I think so. I signed my new contract because I’m very happy here and I want to stay where I’m enjoying football and life.
“I signed my new contract because I’m very happy here and I want to stay where I’m enjoying football and life. Playing in the Champions League isn’t dependent on that.”
“Playing in the Champions League isn’t dependent on that.
“I’d actually prefer not to win this Golden Boot and for Liverpool to qualify for the Champions League this season.
“Any player would miss the Champions League. We’ve not been good enough since I’ve been here to qualify, but this could definitely be our year.
“It would be a frustration not to get fourth because we’ve done everything possible and given our maximum to qualify.”
Suarez feels that as ‘one of the best players in the world’ he can help drive Liverpool on over the final 10 games of the season as they look to return to the top table of continental competition.
“This is my best season yet. I feel in a very good place, physically and mentally,” he added.
“Every day, I feel better in this club. I hope to continue down this path because we want Champions League football for Liverpool and, personally speaking, I want to continue that mentality throughout the World Cup with Uruguay.
“I feel very happy within the club because I’m part of the best football in the world – the Premier League. I’m enjoying every game I play and my family life here, which is very important.
“He always said his first year would be a building one and the second would be better, which it has been. I hope next season can be better still.”
“I like winning. I hate losing – I’ve done enough of that. I’m one of the best players in the world, so having the opportunity to win everything – and losing only occasionally – is what drives me. I’m ambitious. I want to win and won’t stop until I score one, two or more goals.”
Suarez believes Reds boss Rodgers has been pivotal in Liverpool’s recent resurgence and feels he can lead the club to even greater heights next term.
He said: “You can tell he studied in Holland and Spain. He wants us to play with the ball on the floor.
“He understands the atmosphere in which players thrive and talks to us on a regular basis about how he wants us to play. He always said his first year would be a building one and the second would be better, which it has been. I hope next season can be better still.”
Source: Sky Sports
