Luis Suarez plays down talk of a move to Real Madrid as he insists he 'loves' being part of Liverpool and is targeting Champions League victory
Suarez has enjoyed a phenomenal season on the pitch and hopes that Liverpool can push on in both the Premier League and in Europe
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Your support makes all the difference.Luis Suarez has dismissed recent reports that he could move to Real Madrid in the summer by insisting he is the happiest he has ever been with Liverpool and has set his sights on winning the Champions League.
Suarez was named the PFA and Football Writers’ Player of the Year this season for his brilliant form and 31 goals that helped the Reds challenge for the Premier League title right up until the final day of the season. Having come from seventh last season to second this campaign, Suarez capped a remarkable turnaround with the golden boot, having begun in August with a six-match suspension that had been carried over from 2012-13 for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.
After his attempts to leave the club had been blocked and the Uruguayan reintegrated into the first-team, Suarez struck up a formidable partnership with Daniel Sturridge that came within two points of claiming the top flight title for the first time in 24 years.
But despite Suarez being visibly distraught following the 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace, he has admitted his delight at returning to the elite European competition and his setting his sights on winning the Champions League – with Liverpool and not Real Madrid.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Suarez said: “The most important way we focus for the Champions League because the last four or five years Liverpool, the players, is a good moment for the comeback to a step on the Europa League to Europe's top.
“We know how difficult the Premier League is, because you never know what they are doing and I think maybe this year (Manchester) City have more players by then and Chelsea as well, (Manchester) United.”
Suarez also highlighted the support both he and the team have received from the fans this season, with the controversial striker nailing his status down as a firm favourite among the Kop.
“[It} Is difficult but in football it's a dream, because the stadium is unbelievable, the fans are the 12th player because they help so much,” he added.
“In my career they know what is important and myself and my family as well because they help so much.”
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Suarez shocked many when he signed a new contract earlier this season, just months after pushing for a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal, but he insists he did so because he loves the club and everything that surrounds it. He has also had to play down talk linking him with a move to either Real or Barcelona, with reports that either club could be prepared to activate a clause in his contract that allows them to seek further negotiations with the striker.
“I signed the contract because I love it here and I'm so happy here. If you're not happy here you don't sign any contract,” said Suarez.
“Liverpool's team for me is one of the best in the world because nobody here in the dressing room thinks I am better than another and the people here inside Melwood work very well.
“I love it here and this mentality I like because maybe in some other dressing rooms I am bigger than you and another bigger, it's difficult for the team-mates to play together on the pitch in something like that.”
Suarez also took a minute to praise captain Steven Gerrard for his impact not only on himself but on the club as a whole, lauding the current England skipper as the “best player in Liverpool’s history”.
“Stevie everybody knows is important in my career and last summer as well,” he said.
“He's the best player in the Liverpool history for me and I can say he's the best player I play with as well. He's the captain because he's helped the team, he helps the players, the staff, helps everything.”
Despite enjoying a successful season together though, Gerrard and Suarez will go toe-to-toe in the World Cup with England and Uruguay drawn in Group D together.
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