Rodgers better for Suarez saga

Brendan Rodgers admits handling the summer transfer saga of Luis Suarez has made him a better boss.

There seemed little prospect of Suarez remaining at Anfield once he got a sniff of interest from today’s opponents Arsenal and he quickly went public with his thoughts, claiming the Reds reneged on a deal to allow him to join a Champions League club.

The Gunners’ £40 million plus £1 bid — made in the mistaken belief it would trigger a get-out clause — was rebuffed by Liverpool and the upshot was Suarez, who was still serving a suspension from last season, was banished from first-team training. However, just over a week later his exile was ended. The turnaround was completed when he signed a new four-year deal in December.