Liverpool tell Suarez to train alone

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been told
to train alone by manager Brendan
Rodgers, who says the player has shown
"total disrespect" for the club.
Rodgers also rejected the Uruguay
international's claim he was promised a
transfer this summer if Liverpool did not
qualify for the Champions League.
Suarez, 26, plans to submit a transfer request
this week if a move is blocked.
"There were no promises made - categorically
none - and no promises broken," insisted
Rodgers.
"The club and his representatives had several
conversations and he knew exactly where he
was at.
"There has been total disrespect of the club -
a club that has given him everything.
"Obviously the remarks I've read are bitterly
disappointing - but my job is bigger than
that."
Sources close to the Anfield club insist the
decision to make Suarez train away from the
first team was made before his outspoken
interview, which broke on Tuesday, and is
down to the player's lacklustre performances
in recent friendly matches.
Rodgers added: "I will take strong, decisive
action, absolutely. I think Luis knows the
support he's had at the football club and that's
something that's been unswerving throughout
the whole of last season.
"My job is to fight and protect the club. The
conversations I've had with him he knows I've
had, and they will remain private."
Arsenal have had two bids rejected by the
Reds, the latest of which was a pound over
£40m and designed to trigger a release clause
in Suarez's contract.
However, Professional Footballers' Association
chief executive Gordon Taylor explained there
is no clause in the player's deal that means
Liverpool have to sell him if a club offers
more than £40m.
"If there is a minimum offer of £40m then the
parties will discuss things but it does not say
the club has to sell," said Taylor.
"There is a 'good faith' clause in relation to
serious discussions, but I can't say it is a cast-
iron buy-out clause."
Suarez is prepared to take the issue to the
Premier League to force his exit but Liverpool
insist they do not have to sell and Rodgers
says Arsenal's offer remains well short of his
club's valuation.
The forward took legal action against former
club Groningen in 2006 when a bid from Ajax
was rejected. He went to arbitration and lost -
but was still sold as the Amsterdam side
increased their offer.
Taylor will contact both the player and
Liverpool in an attempt to help mediate on the
matter, with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
"on standby" to do a deal.
"I just feel, like in any other transfer, it is
better for both parties to get around the table
to try to resolve it," Taylor added.
"At the moment it is certainly festering and I
don't think it is a good situation for the player
or the clubs involved."