"I am very strong on the values of the club, where we are and how we operate.
"Football and society is different nowadays, the [transfer] market is totally different and players can create different ways to open it up.
"But I have always said that there is no player bigger than Liverpool Football Club and that is something we are very strong on.
"Do I expect him to stay? Very much so. A lot has been said in the off season, but the reality is that he is very much a player of importance.
"Every player has a value and a worth, but it doesn't mean we are going to sell him."
Rodgers and Suárez held informal discussions at the team hotel on Monday after the player took part in a small-sided training session and further fitness work in the swimming pool.
And with Suárez due to remain with the squad for the remainder of the tour, which moves on to Thailand on Thursday, Rodgers admits that talks will continue in order to resolve the situation.
"I will do what I have done with the rest of the players and sit down with him," Rodgers said. "The reality is that we do have one or two things to clear up, but that will be done and we will continue to work.
"Luis and I have been in regular contact, but by the time we got here on Sunday night and had a bite to eat, it was late.
"We have that sort of relationship, though, where communication is open. I always tell him what I feel.
"Luis is here as expected, he is an integral part of squad and we will chat at some stage.
"The bottom line is he's a Liverpool player. We have only had one bid for him and it was nowhere near the value we have of him and there has been nothing since."
The strength of reaction to Suárez from the club's Australia-based supporters could yet prove influential in the outcome of his battle to leave, with an anticipation that he will be greeted warmly by fans at an open training session on Tuesday and during Wednesday night's game.
But despite his brief summer break - partially extended by the serving of four of his 10-game suspension at the end of last season for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic - Rodgers insists that Suárez will play some part of the friendly in Melbourne.
"I'm sure he will want play some part against Melbourne," Rodgers said. "The players are not quite up to 90 minutes yet. In Indonesia on Saturday, I played a team for about 60 minutes and looked to make changes, but all players will be involved and have some part to play because it is about our preparation.
"Luis will train and we will communicate over the next few weeks, but we have spoken quite a lot over the summer.
"We will chat more, but he is a Liverpool player, he will be part of the group and you could see his closeness with squad when we arrived on Sunday night."
No comments:
Post a Comment