Liverpool won't let Luis Suarez leave

UNHAPPY Luis Suarez will have no easy escape route from Liverpool after they insisted they won’t listen to any offers for their star striker.

Liverpool are adamant that Luis Suarez will not leave the club this summer

Manager Brendan Rodgers hammered home the message that the club will not be forced into selling the Uruguayan and said the player “totally understands” their stance.

Arsenal have had two bids rejected, the last one of £40m plus £1 which they felt would trigger a sale clause.

But Liverpool have always insisted that was not the case and are adamant all they had to do was inform the player of the approach.

Brendan Rodgers has praised his Liverpool squad for staying focused this summer

“It’s a story that can keep running but for me there is no new news. Luis is happy. He totally understands the club’s point of view.”

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers

They are angry at the lack of loyalty shown from the 26-year-old, who they believe should respect the fact that they have stood by him through a series of controversial incidents.

In particular, they backed him during the race row with Patrice Evra, which saw him banned for eight matches – and did the same during his current suspension of 10 games for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made an offer of £40m for Suarez but Liverpool are refusing to budge

Suarez has stopped short of submitting a transfer request or seeking legal recourse over the contract clause and Rodgers claims the whole summer saga has not affected his attitude.

He said: “It’s a story that can keep running but for me there is no new news. Luis is happy. He totally understands the club’s point of view.

Liverpool feel Suarez owes them after they stood by him during his public race row with Manchester United's Patrice Evra

“He’s in a difficult position, in terms of not being able to play because of his suspension. But he’s working hard and remains part of the group. He hasn’t been moping about.

"It’s obviously difficult when you come back after a break but he has settled in and has been working well.”

Rodgers praised his squad for their focus despite the Suarez saga.

Suarez is currently serving a 10-game domestic ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic

He said: “It says a lot about their professionalism. The environment that we’re creating is that the star will always be the team.

“We want top players here but if for whatever reason we don’t, we know we can rely on the team and each other.

“The harmony in the group is good. The spirit is strong. There is a one-club mentality. If we can keep it that way, we can have a great season.”