John W Henry, owner of Liverpool is seen in this file photo in London. RIGHT: Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has a look at the packed Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as he makes his way out to sit on the bench during the 2013 pre-season tour match against Melbourne Victory at the MCG in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday.
MELBOURNE: Liverpool owner John W Henry questioned whether Arsenal were on drugs yesterday after they made a renewed bid to sign top striker Luis Suarez.
“What do you think they’re smoking over there at Emirates?” tweeted the American businessman, after Arsenal reportedly offered £40,000,001m ($61m) for the Uruguayan star.
Liverpool rank Suarez, the Premier League’s second top-scorer last season with 23 goals, in the same category as Edinson Cavani, who joined France’s Paris Saint Germain for £55m earlier this month.
According to British reports, Arsenal’s offer of over £40m triggers a clause in Suarez’s contract which says Liverpool must consider the bid and inform the player.
It was not clear whether Henry was scoffing at Arsenal’s attempt to sign Suarez from a rival club, or at the amount they are offering.
Later, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told Suarez to think about the fans who have treated him like “a son” after the club’s American owner laughed off a bid from Arsenal for the striker’s services yesterday.
“There’s no doubt the market these days for top players is very small so Luis will always be linked with top clubs,” Rodgers told reporters after Suarez made a cameo appearance in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over local club Melbourne Victory.
“But I think the support that he’s received from the supporters and the people of the city of Liverpool has been unrivalled.
“In the period of time, he’s missed a lot of games for the club through various reasons. And the people have stood by him like a son and really looked after him.
“So I’m sure whatever happens in the coming weeks, that will be in his mind because it’s certainly something you can never forget.”
Suarez was due to discuss his future with Rodgers in Melbourne after rampant speculation about his future went up a notch following reports Arsenal had made a second bid for the 26-year-old.
Suarez has said he wants to leave Liverpool to play in Spain, blaming the British media for making his life impossible in England.
Rodgers, who left Suarez on the bench until the last 20 minutes said he had already shared several chats with his tempestuous striker since he landed in Melbourne.
Suarez, who signed for Liverpool from Ajax Amsterdam in January 2011 along with current West Ham striker Andy Carroll, has tempered his brilliance on the pitch with a series of controversial misdemeanours.AGENCIES
