Liverpool Transfer News: Brendan Rodgers' Comments Won't Keep Luis Suarez

Liverpool are desperately trying to hold onto Luis Suarez. Unfortunately, this seems to be getting tougher every day.

One thing is clear, if he is eventually sold, it will not be for lack of trying. Alex Hankin of the Mirror reports that manager Brendan Rodgers made an emotional plea to keep the striker at Anfield:

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There's nothing new to report. He's very much a Liverpool player. The support he has received from the supporters and the people of the city of Liverpool has been unrivalled. In this period of time he's missed a lot of games for the club through various reasons.

The people have stood by him, like a son and really looked after him. Whatever happens in the coming weeks that will be in his mind because it's something you can never forget.

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This is a valiant effort to appeal to Suarez's emotional side as he contemplates his future. However, the competition from clubs around Europe will make it incredibly difficult to stick around.

To make matters worse, it is a nearby club that might cause the most problems with its latest bid. According to John Cross and David Maddock of the Mirror, Arsenal placed an official bid for Suarez:

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Arsene Wenger last night tabled a stunning and cheeky £40,000,001 bid for Luis Suarez. The extra quid triggers a clause in the Liverpool hitman’s contract meaning the Merseyside club must inform him of Arsenal’s offer.

Wenger now expects Suarez to tell Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers that he wants to speak to Arsenal and move to play in the ­Champions League.

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Wayne Veysey of Goal.com has since reported that this move appears to have worked:

Although this is not the end of the road for Liverpool, it is getting close.

Suarez ended the regular season claiming that he had to get out of England to avoid the media, but he has since softened his stance on the issue. Now it appears as though other things are drawing him away from the Reds, including Champions League football.

Arsenal, as well as Real Madrid, can offer the ability to play in Champions League against the best squads in Europe. Additionally, either one of them would be among the top contenders in their domestic league if Suarez joins.

As much as Rodgers would like to point out that Liverpool has supported the Uruguayan player, his side cannot offer the same type of competitiveness in the upcoming season.

Once Suarez starts warming up to the idea of leaving, he will do what is necessary to force his way off his current club and into a new one.

The good news is that Liverpool still has some control over the situation. While the club might want to hold onto the player, it might be better to simply get the highest possible amount as a transfer fee to help reinvest in the club.

Additionally, it might be smart to start up negotiations with Real Madrid to ensure that he does not go to a rival club. 

No matter what happens going forward, it is obvious how Rodgers feels about the situation. Unfortunately, he seems to be powerless to stop an eventual transfer of his best player.

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