Liverpool striker Luis Suarez may quit Premier League warns Damien Comolli

'Victimisation' could see Uruguayan depart

Simon Rice
Friday 11 January 2013 11:04 EST
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Mansfield Town’s chairman has launched an extraordinary attack on Luis Suarez
Mansfield Town’s chairman has launched an extraordinary attack on Luis Suarez (AFP)

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Luis Suarez could quit Liverpool and the Premier League says the Reds' former director of football Damien Comolli.

The striker's handball in the lead up to his goal against non-league Mansfield in the FA Cup has seen him embroiled in yet another controversy.

It followed other high profile incidents including his confrontation with Manchester United defender Patrice Evra that led to an eight-match ban for racial abuse.

The Uruguayan has also been accused of diving and stamping on opponents, and directed an obscene gesture at Fulham fans since his move to Liverpool from Ajax in 2011.

The incidents have never appeared to distract the 25-year-old from his game, who has scored 40 goals in 80 appearances for Liverpool and has been arguably the best player in the Premier League this season.

However, the continued negativity that surrounds the striker could lead to Suarez moving abroad claims Comolli, who played a significant role in bringing Suarez to Liverpool for £22.7m.

"It'll be an absolute shame for English football if this victimisation drives him away," Comolli told BBC Sport.

"As the biggest league in the world you want to keep the biggest players, not drive them away for crazy reasons."

"I find it extremely hard to understand why people look at all the bad aspects and not how good the player is," said the 40-year-old, who was fired by Liverpool in April last year.

"He is a fantastic individual and professional - totally committed to his club, team-mates and job. He'll give you everything, he's a winner.

"People need to be very careful what they say and stop criticising him. He's someone you'd want to go to war alongside. I don't think you can captain Ajax as a foreigner at 21 years of age if you're not a great individual."

Liverpool play Manchester United this weekend in a repeat of last year's fixture in which Suarez refused to shake the hand of Evra.

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