Suarez was destined to join Juventus, Rodgers has revealed how Liverpool got him

Luis Saurez was destined to join Juventus in 2012, but Liverpool reacted faster, says the Reds’ former manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Uruguayan striker left Liverpool to join Barcelona for 81million euros in 2014.

Rodgers managed the Merseyside club for three seasons after moving at Anfield from Swansea in 2012.

In an enlightening interview, Rodgers also discussed the tactics behind Liverpool’s memorable thrashing of Arsenal in February 2014, and his struggles to keep Suarez at the club.

“I think at Liverpool, you always feel you can hang on to your best players, because you have such an iconic club, an institution worldwide,” he said.

“When I first went in there, Luis was destined for Juventus, and we were able to talk him round into staying, telling him that the team would be built around him and his qualities.

“Second season, we obviously had the Arsenal connection. Then he went on to have his best season and then that following season we couldn’t keep him.

“You always felt at Liverpool that you could pay the wages and you could pay the money, but if it was through choice, if the player wanted to move on then that’s what he would do. So there was real disappointment.”