LIVERPOOL BOSS RODGERS DEMANDS RESPECT FROM SUAREZ

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has reacted angrily to comments made by Luis Suarez, the Guardian has reported, by calling for the unsettled forward to respect the Anfield club and ordering the Uruguay international to train on his own until his attitude improves.

Suarez claimed Rodgers had promised to sell him this summer if the Reds did not qualify for the Champions League - an assertion rejected by Rodgers, who expressed his disappointment at reading an interview Suarez gave to two national newspapers in which he reiterated his desire to leave Merseyside.

“There were no promises made - categorically none - and no promises broken,” Rodgers insisted. “The club and his representatives had several conversations and he knew exactly where he was at.

“I think Luis knows the support he's had at the football club and that's something that's been unswerving throughout the whole of last season. Obviously the remarks I've read are bitterly disappointing but my job is bigger than that. My job is to fight and protect the club,” the manager added.

Rodgers is not willing to let Suarez’s comments lie, vowing that the 26-year-old will be punished for them and an apology will be received before Suarez is allowed to leave - just one of the many steps needed, according to Rodgers, before Suarez’s exit can be arranged.

“I will take strong, decisive action, absolutely. There has been total disrespect of the club - this is a lack of respect of a club that has given him everything, absolutely everything. I don't believe there is a clause in his contract that says he can leave for any sort of price.

“There's a few bridges to cross before that can happen. It's about the respect - that's the only thing we look for. This is one of the most iconic football clubs in the world, you can't disrespect it…I will ensure [an apology is made] before anything happens in the future.”

Suarez’s insistence his contract allowed him to leave for £40m was not backed up by Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the PFA, who admitted the wording of the relevant clause only guaranteed offers of £40m from Champions League clubs would be discussed, not accepted. Suarez is said to be considering making a formal transfer request, and could ask the Premier League to mediate in the dispute.