Carragher backs Reds over Suarez

Jamie Carragher believes that Liverpool will not sell Luis Suarez in this transfer window, and believes it would be good for football if his old club sent out a message that players cannot force moves when they wish.

The Uruguayan has made his desperate desire to leave Anfield for Arsenal abundantly clear, only for Liverpool owner John Henry to insist Suarez will not be sold.

When asked about his former team-mate at Sky Sports’ 2013-14 season launch, Carragher said he felt the forward would stay and praised the stance of Henry.

The recently retired defender also revealed he told Suarez to stay at Steven Gerrard’s recent testimonial.

“I told him to stay,” Carragher said. “I think he will, just from what the owner has said. I think it is a big statement and to go back on that, he would make himself look really stupid.

“I am looking at it from John Henry’s point of view and what John Henry has come out and said. I don’t think that is just for Liverpool, I think it should be for football, that it shouldn’t be so easy for a player to up sticks and go when he wants.

“We are talking about a player who signed a contract 12 months ago. I could understand if it was Real Madrid, you would say fair enough. Sometimes it is difficult to stand in the way of a player and that is what we are talking about with Gareth Bale. That is a different situation, but for Suarez to go to Arsenal from Liverpool, they are in the Champions League with a tough draw.”

Despite admitting that Suarez was not his “normal self” around Gerrard’s testimonial, Carragher does not feel the South American will fail to perform if he does remain at Liverpool.

“I think he will [perform]. He’s got a World Cup at the end of the year as well. Once you go on the pitch, who wants to play poorly? If he is determined to move he will have to play well to get a move next summer, if that’s what he wants to do. The fans are still right behind him. But I think there are a few bridges for him to get across now with the situation and things he said over the summer. But that can always be fixed. If he plays well and scores a few goals, he’ll be fine.”

Meanwhile, Carragher says that Brendan Rodgers is a “fantastic” manager but feels it is imperative he does “a lot better” this season at Anfield.

“I think he has come in and he has done a good job in his first season, but it has to be moved on. I knew that last season as a player. There is no Europe this season, which is a disappointment, but I’m hoping that will give them a better chance in the league to really push for the top four. I had a great relationship with him. I got on with him and he is a fantastic coach. But results are the be-all and end-all.

“Last season’s results were okay, nothing special. They have to go on again this season and do a lot better. They have two young lads from Spain, Aspas and Luis Alberto. Aspas has got a few goals in pre-season. But I think they are players who will beef the squad up. But I still think Liverpool need one or probably two more — one defensive and one offensive.”

* Sky kicks off its biggest ever Premier League season with live coverage of Swansea v Man United on Sky Sports 1, Sky 2 and Pick TV on August 17.