Liverpool taps ace striker vs Thais

BANGKOK – Liverpool FC’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, the subject of raging transfer talks, will don his No. 7 jersey for the Reds when they face off with the Thai national team on Sunday in the culminating activity of LFC’s 2013 Asian Tour presented by Standard Chartered.

“Yes, as long as he’s fit, he will play,” said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers during yesterday’s press conference for the Bangkok leg of their pre-season sojourn.

Suarez played off the bench in the Reds’ friendly against Melbourne Victory in the Australia stop and then joined Liverpool for the club’s fourth visit to Thailand.

“He’s still getting up to fitness,” added Rodgers, who appeared in the presser with Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre.

Liverpool’s leading striker has been targetted by Arsenal for  Â£35 million and  Â£40 million.

“The situation’s still the same. It’s never our intention to sell Luis. We’ve received 2 separate offers from Arsenal and rejected both. Luis remains with Liverpool and he’s here with us in Thailand,” said Ayre.

Rodgers said they expect a competitive match against the War Elephants.

“We’re looking forward to play against a very good team,” Rodgers said, adding the Reds will approach it as if it were an official match. “Every game for LFC is important, whether it’s a friendly or a league match. There’s no friendly for us, actually, our intensity remains high each game.”

The Reds arrived to a rousing welcome Thursday night for the three-day event backed by Standard Chartered Bank, which follows well-received stops in Jakarta and Melbourne.

“Our partnership with the Liverpool Football Club roots from our similarity in heritage and values. We both have over 100 years in history and we share a commitment to the community having partnered with them in our global campaign to tackle preventable blindness and HIV awareness. In our effort to bring the club closer to its fan base in Asia, we partnered with them in the club’s Asia Tour which was in Jakarta, Melbourne and right now in Bangkok,” said Nimmi Kamal, country head of corporate affairs, Standard Chartered Philippines.

The club held a light training session yesterday morning and captain Steven Gerrard, along with Rodgers and Ayre, paid their respects to the King in a visit to Siriraj Hospital in the afternoon.

On Saturday, LFC legend Ian Rush and some first-team mainstays will attend a public meet and greet then the Reds will hold an open training session at Rajamangala at night. Sunday, the LFC Legends will conduct a clinic for Standard Chartered client’s before the main fare at 6:40 p.m.