Luis Suárez announces his intention to leave Liverpool

Citing a frustration with his treatment by the English media, Luis Suárez has announced that he intends to leave Liverpool.

By Jack Sargeant May 31, 2013, 9:05am EDT

Reportedly subject to interest from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich of late, Luis Suárez has announced that he is looking for a move away from Liverpool. "My reason for leaving is my family and my image, I don’t feel comfortable here any more," said the Uruguayan, bemoaning his treatment by the media.

Only a couple of days ago he was quoted as saying that he was "happy" on Merseyside, though the hints that he was angling for a move away have now been made explicit.

Suárez finished this season as the Premier League's second-top goalscorer, though it wasn't all rosy. After receiving a ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra in 2011, Suárez found himself in more hot water earlier this year; caught nibbling on the arm of Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic -- for which he received a ten-match ban.

"Because of the paparazzi I could not go in my garden, I could not go to the supermarket. "The straw that broke the camel's back was my mistake," Suárez explained.

If he is to depart, Suárez will leave huge boots to fill at Anfield. Having failed to qualify for Europe this season, the departure of Liverpool's star player will make trying to reestablish themselves as Champions League competitors even more difficult.

Update: Liverpool's response was predictable.

A statement from #LFC: Luis Suarez is not for sale - neither Luis or his representatives have communicated these feelings directly to LFC.
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarretTimes) May 31, 2013