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Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers: 'Luis Suarez is integral part of squad'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 22 July 2013

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists that Luis Suarez is still an integral member of his squad and that the striker is in "great spirits".

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted that Luis Suarez remains an integral part of his squad, despite ongoing speculation over his future.

Suarez has been quoted as saying he wants to leave the club this summer, with Arsenal and Real Madrid believed to be interested in the Uruguayan striker.

However, Rodgers is remaining calm about the situation and insists that Suarez is in "great spirits" having joined up with his teammates in Australia yesterday.

"As we've always been as a club, I'm quite relaxed about it. He's an integral part of our squad. We'll chat at some stage, like I do with all the players," he told reporters.

"But he's back, he's in great spirits. He's obviously an integral part of the group - you could see his closeness with his teammates last night when they were all seeing him for the first time in a number of weeks.

"He'll join training today with all the other players and over the course of the next few weeks we'll communicate. Him and I have been in regular communication throughout the summer."

Meanwhile, Rodgers has confirmed that Suarez will feature in Wednesday's friendly against Melbourne Victory.