Business as usual: Downing

Nothing has changed within the Liverpool squad in regard to relations with Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, one of the most sought-after players in the summer transfer window, according to England international Stuart Downing yesterday.

The 26-year-old Suarez travelled with the Reds to Bangkok for an exhibition game against Thailand XI today at Rajamangala National Stadium despite intense speculation over his future at the Merseyside club.

Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Arsenal has already made two offers for the tempestuous forward, the second top scorer in the league with 23 goals last season. Both were rejected, as the Anfield outfit made it clear the Uruguayan was not for sale.

Despite uncertainty surrounding Suarez’s future at the club, Downing, who has earned 34 caps with England, insisted the ongoing transfer rumour had not affected relations between the forward, who previously stated he wanted to leave Anfield to play in Spain, and other members of the Reds squad.

“As far as I’m concerned, nothing has changed. He still trains with us and remains a Liverpool player. So, everything is the same as he’s still our friend. It’s just a way of life for professional players [to be linked with other clubs],” the 29-year-old winger told a group of reporters at the team hotel on the eve of the match.

Liverpool’s exile from the Uefa Champions League has extended for another year following their seventh-placed finish last season, but Downing was confident that the Reds have enough potential to qualify for the elite competition in the coming season.

“Our target has not changed. That’s to finish among the top four in the league. Our squad has enough potential to clinch a top four spot. But, the gaffer [team manager] doesn’t want to talk much about that as it would add unnecessary pressure on us.”

Another Liverpool player, who met the local press yesterday, was Joe Allen, who has reunited with Reds manager Brendan Rodgers after a spell together at Swansea. The Wales international admitted he was still struggling to come to terms with life at a top club like Liverpool, having endured a difficult debut season in Reds’ colours last term.

“For the new season, I hope I could be able to hold down my place in the first team. I know there’s high competition for first team spot at this club. But, I’ll work harder to earn my place and hopefully stay injury-free,” said the 23-year-old midfielder. Allen was also taken aback by the level of support the club has received from fans in other parts of the world.

“It’s the first time for me to experience something like that [the fans’ massive support for the club]. Anywhere we go during the tour, people have always given us such a warm welcome. It’s a good experience for me.”

Later in the day, two other Liverpool players, Daniel Agger and Martin Kelly, offered some advice to young Thai players at the AP Honda “Red Champions” project. The company, one of the Merseyside club’s local partners, has been conducting the project for the past three years to help develop football at the grassroots level and the two players put an emphasis on the importance of fundamental skills.

“The best benefit from having fundamental skills is that you have more chances of winning a game. The more you practice to have these things, the more chances of winning the game,” said right back Kelly.

The Danish international Agger simply added: “Obviously, the more you practice, the better you become. That’s the basic thing.”

When asked how he developed himself to become one of Premier League’s leading defenders, Agger replied: “The most important thing is to work hard and believe in yourself. That would take you a long way.”

Known for his quick pace up and down the field, which once led the retired Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher to compare him with ex-Arsenal star Thierry Henry, Kelly gave a humble answer when asked how he got his speed.

“I think I was born with speed. But, I don’t know whether it was as fast as Henry.”

The kick-off for today’s match has been moved forward to 5.40pm from the originally scheduled 6pm in order to allow the Royal Family to broadcast a special message to honour HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on his 61st birthday anniversary.