Brendan Rodgers underlines Liverpool determination to keep Luis Suárez - The Guardian

The Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, has said he is determined to keep Luis Suárez despite the striker's desire to leave Anfield.

Real Madrid have been linked with the player, valued at at least £40m by Liverpool, but the only move so far has been a rejected £30m bid from Arsenal. Liverpool also have a strong hand having agreed a four-year contract with Suárez last August.

Rodgers told TalkSport: "Over the course of the last few months, and towards the end of the season, there has been a lot of speculation with Luis. But the fact is it remains the same – we value the player.

"He had a terrific season for us last year and showed his qualities. Since then I've been in communication with him through texts and conversations on the phone and it [the situation] is pretty much the same.

"He is a valued player. He is an absolute magician on the field. Luis is a real competitor, a real winner. He wants Liverpool to do so well but, like every player, every manager and, more importantly every football club, they want to be working at the very highest level.

"At the minute he is on a break, he is relaxing with his family. We are in constant communication. He has got three years left on his contract, we don't want to sell him, and we hope everything will be fine for the summer.

"We want to bring in few more players to reinforce the group and we think we can put up a real fight next season."

Suárez scored 30 goals for Liverpool last term but the Uruguayan's campaign ended controversially after he was handed a 10-game ban – six of which he is still to serve – for biting the Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a match at Anfield.

That was the latest in a series of incidents surrounding Suárez and the 26-year-old has criticised the British media for their adverse portrayal of him.

He has encouraged interest from Madrid and his representatives this week held discussions with Liverpool about his situation. But there has been no approach from the Spanish giants while Liverpool have suggested Suárez would have to formally request a transfer to have any chance of a move.