Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Foolish to Shoot Down Idea of Selling Luis Suarez

No big-name player has been discussed more consistently during the transfer window than Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. Despite the fact that Suarez seemingly has no interest in playing for the Reds this season, Liverpool management seems unwilling to sell him. That figures to be a big mistake.

According to David Maddock of Mirror Football, Liverpool owner John W. Henry does not intend to sell Suarez, and he is very much against allowing him to transfer to Arsenal.

Henry went so far as to call the notion of sending Suarez to Emirates Stadium "ludicrous," according to SuperSport Blitz.

While it's understandable that selling Suarez to a rival like Arsenal is less than ideal, such closed-mindedness is ridiculous at this point. Suarez clearly isn't happy at Anfield, and keeping him in the fold will prove counterproductive.

According to John Cross of Mirror Football, Suarez has pointed to his desire to play in the Champions League as the main reason for wanting to leave Liverpool. He also claims that the Liverpool brass promised that he could leave if the Reds failed to make the Champions League.

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I feel I’ve done enough to be playing in the Champions League at this stage of my career. Now there’s an option for me to do that and I want very much to take it.

I don’t feel betrayed but the club promised me ­something a year ago just as I promised them I would stay and try everything possible to get us into the Champions League.

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It is unclear if there is any truth to Suarez's claims, but the biggest takeaway from his comments is that he has already mentally checked out as a member of Liverpool. Suarez's talent is undeniable, and there is no doubt that the Reds are better with him from a talent standpoint, but there is no point in keeping him if his heart isn't in it.

Henry hasn't concerned himself with such logic throughout this process, though, as he has been quite combative. Henry reportedly scoffed at Arsenal's £40,000,001 offer and went so far as to insult the Gunners on Twitter.

He furthered explained his position, according to Maddock, and made the argument that selling Suarez at this juncture would put Liverpool in a difficult spot.

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It’s because at this point it’s impossible, so late in the window, with everyone who’s already moved or isn’t moving, to replace him. So for football reasons, we can’t - and especially to Arsenal.

I’m unequivocal that we won’t sell to Arsenal, whatever the bid is. He won’t be sold even if a foreign club comes in because we do not have time to sign a suitable replacement.

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Henry's logic is sound to a certain degree, but he's fooling himself if he believes that a top-four spot is attainable with or without Suarez. The odds of the Reds surpassing Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are incredibly low, and it's difficult to imagine them finishing higher Arsenal as well.

In addition, Liverpool will have to outperform solid squads such as Tottenham and Everton, so the Reds are facing an uphill battle.

Rather than clinging to false hope, Henry should pull the trigger and make a move if a reasonable offer is made. Not only would it give Liverpool money to play with this season and beyond, but it would also rid the club of a problem child who never really connected with the organization.

Henry will likely have another opportunity to change his stance as Arsenal are prepared to make a £51 million offer, according to BBC Sport.

As difficult as it will be for Liverpool to replace the 30 goals that Suarez contributed last season, this potential move is about more than on-field production.

The Reds aren't going to thrive if Suarez is moping around all season, so eradicating the issue right now is the best thing they can do as it will allow them to move forward and build toward something big.

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