Former Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has revealed that although Arsenal did turn the head of ex-teammate Luis Suarez, he never really wanted the move.

The midfielder spoke recently about the relationship between the striker and Brendan Rodgers, which broke down as a result of Suarez’s indecision over the move.

Suarez wanted to progress and play in the Champions League, something Liverpool couldn’t guarantee, and since Arsenal were the first team to come a-knocking who could offer it, he was seriously considering the move. It was then Gerrard’s job to act as peacemaker between the manager and player, and convince his teammate to remain at the club.

Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez
Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez (2nd R) vies with Arsenal’s French midfielder Mathieu Flamini (R) during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at The Emirates Stadium in north London on February 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

“Before the meeting you had Luis Suarez training on his own in the afternoon at Melwood,” Gerrard said.

“Brendan’s relationship with Luis had broken down. I don’t think it was Brendan’s fault.”

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Gerrard continued, “Luis wanted to move on, to play Champions League football and he had people in his ear and people around him forcing him to make moves that maybe he didn’t really want to do.

“So I think it was just a case of being in the middle and trying to heal that relationship with him and Brendan and get him training with the first team again and just chatting to Luis and saying to him, is it Arsenal that you really want or do you want Real Madrid or Barca?“That was the jist of the conversation, because I knew, deep down that him and his family wanted Barcelona rather than Arsenal.”

Despite our controversial offer of £40,000,001, as we all know, Suarez spent one more season at Liverpool before heading to Barcelona. The 28-year-old has since scored 28 goals and made 27 assists in 51 appearances for the La Liga giants.

Personally, I’m just glad he’s not in the Premier League. Him and Diego Costa in the same league… can you imagine?

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