EPL: Champions League vital for Suarez
admitted that Champions League
qualification was vital to keeping Luis
Suarez happy at Anfield.
Suarez, who was named the Professional
Footballers' Association's Player of the
Year on Sunday, came close to leaving
Liverpool last summer after asking to leave
for a club playing in the Champions League
before being persuaded to stay on
Merseyside.
Suarez has inspired Liverpool's title
charge this season and they have already
guaranteed themselves a place in the
Champions League next season.
Rodgers is aware reaching Europe's
premier competition is imperative to match
the ambitions of players like Suarez.
"That was key to it. That's what he was
missing," said Rodgers.
"A player of Luis Suarez's ability has to be
playing at this level.
"His loyalty in staying at Liverpool, to
continue to fight for the club to get us
there, is remarkable really. Hopefully he
gets the rewards for that with those big
European nights next season.
"I've convinced players to stay and enjoy
the style of football, which they do, but they
also want to be competing in the best
competitions."
Rodgers also feels the love of the fans
played a huge part in persuading Suarez to
change his mind and stay at Anfield last
summer.
"He probably would not get that sort of
devotion elsewhere," added Rodgers. "I
think he understands that.
"Maybe there would come a point in his
life where he might think that he has
achieved what he wants to [at Liverpool]."
Rodgers also praised Liverpool owner John
W Henry for standing firm when Suarez
wanted to leave and Arsenal made a bid for
the Uruguayan's services.
"He's a guy that is strong-willed and
strong-minded," noted Rodgers.
"The vision he had for the club was to keep
the best players and to build with those
players. We had to show our power as a
club last summer.
"You see a lot of clubs where the power is
with the players. But the power at our club
is the football club itself. That will always
be the case.
"The owners were brilliant. Obviously once
he knew we weren't going to sell him and
why it was important for him to stay, he
stayed and he has had a remarkable
season."
Rodgers' statement comes as Tuesday's
press report that Real Madrid are preparing
a big money bid to try and tempt the
Uruguayan away from Anfield this summer.
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"I've convinced players to stay and
enjoy the style of football, which
they do, but they also want to be
competing in the best
competitions."
Brendan Rodgers
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