Suarez reveals why he pushed for Arsenal transfer in 2013
Atletico Madrid striker Luis Suarez has revealed why he tried to leave Liverpool for Arsenal in the summer of 2013.
The Uruguayan has been speaking ahead of Atletico’s visit to Anfield on Wednesday evening.
He spent three years at Liverpool between 2011 and 2014 before joining FC Barcelona.
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Famously, Suarez tried to leave the club in 2013 to join Arsenal, and eight years on, he has revealed his reason was that the Gunners were a consistent Champions League outfit.
He explained to UEFA’s official website: “I think I’d been at Liverpool for a year and a half when Brendan (Rodgers) took charge in July 2012.
“Back then, I had opportunities to sign for other clubs who were getting in contact with me, but he phoned me when I was in Uruguay on holiday, to tell me that he had another way of thinking, that he wanted to change the club and its philosophy, that he wanted the club to get back in the Champions League and fight to win big trophies, that he was going to make the team play great football.
“He asked me to believe and trust him. I enjoyed that chat. I liked his conviction, the philosophy he wanted to implement at the club, so I talked to my agent and the club to say that I didn’t want to leave, that I wanted another opportunity to be successful at Liverpool.
“That year wasn’t as good as we wanted, but ideas were already pretty clear. So then the 2012/13 season goes by, and I wanted to sign for Arsenal, since Arsenal had played in the Champions League every season prior to that.”
Suarez then revealed that Steven Gerrard convinced him to stay at Anfield.
“So, he (Gerrard) said to me: ‘If this year we keep improving as we have been, and you’re at the level you have to be, next year you’ll be able to play for Bayern München, Real Madrid, Barcelona, or whatever club you like. You’ll have the chance to choose, but stay for one more year.'”
The following season, the 34-year-old enjoyed his best campaign as a Red. Rodgers’ side came close to claiming their first Premier League title as Suarez scored 31 and assisted 17 in 33 appearances.
