Suárez says Álvarez transfer situation mirrors his Liverpool saga

Luis Suárez sees a familiar pattern in the attention surrounding Julián Álvarez’s future at Atlético Madrid. The former Uruguay forward recalled his own attempt to leave Liverpool for Arsenal in 2013, when Champions League football shaped his decision.

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I faced the same situation when I was at Liverpool, back in 2013, when I announced that I wanted to leave for Arsenal.

Suárez said Arsenal’s participation in the competition, compared with Liverpool’s absence, made him want to move. He eventually stayed after Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard urged him to complete another season at Anfield.

Gerrard, Suárez recalled, promised that a strong campaign could lead to an even bigger transfer. He told the forward he could later choose Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or another club, but should remain at Liverpool for that season.

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Arsenal was in the Champions League, and Liverpool wasn’t, and I wanted to leave because I wanted to play in that competition.

Suárez followed the advice. He publicly apologised for his earlier comments, recommitted himself to Liverpool and quickly regained the support of the fans. He described the season that followed as his best at the club.

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He convinced me. I publicly apologised at the time because my earlier comments hadn’t been good; I committed myself fully to Liverpool, and within two or three games, the fans loved me.

With Álvarez’s future at Atlético continuing to draw attention, Suárez used his experience to point to how quickly a player’s situation can change after one successful season.

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It turned out to be my best season at the club.