Reds fans will back Suarez, says MD

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez can expect to retain the support of the team's fans even though he's agitating for a move a way from the Premier League club, managing director Ian Ayre said.

The 26-year-old Uruguayan has been linked with Real Madrid, Chelsea and Arsenal after he said he would like to leave the 18-time English champions during interviews at last month's Confederations Cup.

Ayre has confirmed that Liverpool rejected an offer from Arsenal for Suarez, who scored 30 goals last season. "I don't think anyone will be against him at this point," Ayre said.

Suarez, who joined from Ajax for €26.5 million (HK$261 million) in 2011, will miss the first six games of the season wherever he plays due to a 10-match ban for biting an opponent. He was also banned for eight games a year previously for racial abuse.

"He only needs to do what he did last season and everyone will feel he's in the right place and he should carry on getting the support that he deserves and gets from Liverpool," Ayre said. "We'd love to see Luis put on a Liverpool shirt for this season … and we hope that once he gets back things will settle down."

Even with Suarez's goals, Liverpool finished seventh in the league, failing to qualify for Europe.