Liverpool Transfer News: Luis Suarez Smart to Distance Himself from La Liga Talk

To say that striker Luis Suarez's first season with Liverpool was tumultuous would be the understatement of the year. Despite his struggles from a non-soccer perspective, however, he has a lot to offer the Reds and they have plenty to offer in return, so his focus should be on remaining with the team.

According to Mirror Football, Suarez has been linked to both Barcelona and Real Madrid after the 25-year-old Uruguayan star said that he would like to play in the Spanish Primera Division one day. Suarez diffused the situation by saying that he had not spoken to Barca or Madrid, though, and he spoke optimistically about his future with Liverpool.

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Liverpool have had a good season and we got to two cup finals, he said.

In the Premier League we did not finish as high as expected, but positive things have been taken.

Liverpool is a 10/10 club for the support they give the players. I am very grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to play in the Premiership.

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The Reds finished a disappointing eighth in the EPL this season and are left looking for answers, but even slight improvements will get them back in the Champions League discussion. Suarez is going to have to be a huge part of that, though.

Suarez missed eight games due to a suspension stemming from a racial abuse incident between he and Manchester United star Patrice Evra on October 15, 2011. Suarez maintained his innocence, but he was still punished by the FA. Suarez didn't make matters better when he snubbed Evra's handshake prior to a game later in the season.

As a player, Suarez had his moments, though as he led Liverpool with 11 goals and pitched in three assists as well. He is one of the most exciting offensive players in the world and has the potential to get even better. With that said, it would be devastating for Liverpool if he were to bolt for a La Liga squad.

By the same token, Suarez owes a lot to his Liverpool teammates and all of the Reds' fans. Nobody knows for sure what was said on the pitch except for Suarez and Evra, but all of Suarez's teammates were very supportive of him throughout the ordeal, as were the vast majority of Liverpool's fans.

It would be irresponsible to bail on the people who have believed in him and trusted him over the past year, so to essentially kill off any rumors of a move to Barcelona or Madrid was certainly the right idea on Suarez's part. He doesn't want to come off looking ungrateful after all he has been through over the past year, and announcing his love for Liverpool makes him much more likeable.

After such a difficult 2011-12 season, clear skies figure to be ahead for Suarez and the Reds. the two sides have already come this far together, so ending the relationship now would be silly. Suarez can accomplish great things at Liverpool, and it will be interested to see how much he is able to grow as a player and a person.

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