EXCLUSIVE: Suarez lies could lead the way to Liverpool exit
Published 22:30 12/02/12 By David Maddock
Luis Suarez is heading for the Anfield exit after lying to his manager and undermining the club.
Not even his belated apology for betraying Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish looks likely to stop the club’s owners from offloading him in the summer.
Suarez was condemned yesterday by Dalglish and managing director Ian Ayre, who insisted he has let down the club, the manager and his team-mates for refusing to shake the hand of Manchester United’s Patrice Evra on Saturday.
In an uncompromising statement issued by Ayre and endorsed by American owners John Henry and Tom Werner, the club detailed the betrayal they feel after Suarez insisted to Dalglish he would shake hands, but then went back on his word.
Liverpool MD Ian Ayre: Suarez was wrong to mislead us
Dalglish issued his own apology, after viewing a tape of the incident, and realising just how much he had been misled by the striker he has backed so vehemently.
Kenny Dalglish apologies for post-match Suarez interview
Liverpool will now begin an internal disciplinary hearing against Suarez, which is likely to lead to punishment that will include a fine agreed with the PFA. But in the longer term, it is also likely to see the owners cut their losses and sell the striker in the summer, after the club made a complete U-turn on their previously staunch defence of the Uruguayan.
Suarez issued his own apology yesterday, admitting: “I have spoken with the manager since the game at Old Trafford and realise I got things wrong.
“I’ve not only let him down, but also the club and what it stands for and I’m sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened.”
But that is unlikely to save him, with Dalglish angered by the position he was put in after the match, when Suarez’s misleading comments left him defending his player on TV.
Liverpool will not publicly outline any plan to move on Suarez in summer, because that would undermine their negotiating position.
Yet he can hardly be allowed to stay after being accused of lying by his club and betraying Dalglish so badly when he sat in the manager’s office last Wednesday and insisted he would shake hands.
Dalglish is known for his loyalty, but now he feels Suarez has undermined the traditions of the club he loves, there will be no forgiveness.
Although he would not say it himself, Dalglish’s feelings were revealed by his close friend Alan Hansen, who insisted Suarez had “let Kenny down” despite receiving “unequivocal support”.
Liverpool’s condemnation yesterday was a clear indication their owners can no longer accept the damaging effect the affair has had on the club’s reputation.
There is a feeling within the hierarchy the only way to draw a line under the row is to allow Suarez to leave in summer and rebuild relations with both the FA and Manchester United.
Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool: Daily Mirror match report
Comment: Why Suarez apologies can start to repair the sorry state of Liverpool's reputation
Evans: We were looking for closure before Suarez reopened feud
