Liverpool prepares to extend Luis Suarez's stay at Anfield

LUIS Suarez's disciplinary transgressions have damaged Liverpool but the clubs want to extend his time at Anfield.

Liverpool's Uruguayan forward Luis Surez takes a shot against Manchester United in their League Cup match on Wednesday

LUIS Suarez's disciplinary transgressions during his time at Liverpool have damaged the way the club are perceived across the world, according to Ian Ayre, the Anfield side's managing director.

For all the trouble the Uruguay striker has caused, though - from racially abusing Patrice Evra to biting Branislav Ivanovic - Liverpool will nonetheless attempt to extend his contract at Anfield when they hold talks with the player's representatives next summer.

Given that Suarez spent much of this close season attempting to engineer a move away from Liverpool, the idea of the 26-year-old agreeing to prolong his stay seems far-fetched. Ayre, though, is adamant that Suarez remains a core component of the club's plans, despite missing 18 games across 2 seasons - eight for abusing Evra and ten for biting Ivanovic.

"Any types of incident of that nature are damaging to the brand," he said. "Nobody is condoning any bad behaviour but it's just something you have to deal with. He is what he is, he is the character he is, and we have to try and harness that.

"We have worked a lot with Luis since the last incident with Ivanovic and he has responded well. He has been prepared to commit to that sort of work on his character. He is a great team member. The players are supportive of him and he is supportive of them.

"As we said all along through the summer, we expected him to remain a Liverpool player. We will have (contract) talks with Luis and his advisers. I'm absolutely certain in the summer or approaching the next summer, we'll have a conversation with Luis."

Ayre, speaking at the Sport Industry breakfast in London, also said that Fenway Sports Group, the club's owner, which bought Liverpool three years ago, still does not "necessarily" understand how best to run a football club. It is learning, he said, but knows there is still work to be done before it gets the best from its investment.

"They are great sports investors," he said. "They understand sports but not necessarily football. It has been a huge learning curve for the owners. Liverpool supporters must hope FSG are now au fait with what is expected, because a lot of work needs to be done to get the club in a challenging position again."

The Times