Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers asserts that Luis Suarez was never promised a move away from the club last season.
The striker has told the media that the team promised to move him if it failed to qualify for the 2013-14 Champions league. The team finished out of the running for the competition.
"There were no promises made, categorically none and no promises broken," Rodgers told reporters. "Obviously, the remarks I've read, it is bitterly disappointing, but my job is bigger than that. My job is to fight and protect the club."
He noted that Suarez's behavior was inappropriate and that he would take measures to ensure the club is respected.
"I will take strong, decisive action, absolutely, as there has been total disrespect of the club. This is a lack of respect of a club that has given him everything. Absolutely everything," he added.
However Rodgers noted that he still sees the Uruguayan forward as an integral part of his team moving forward.
"The reality is we don't want to sell Luis Suarez. It's as simple as that. He is important for what we are trying to do. There have been a couple of offers but no promises broken -- that's the reality," he said. "We can understand if he wants to play in the Champions League, but that doesn't mean we've broken any promise.
However, his closing remarks did hint that the issues have created a major break between the two sides and that Suarez would have to do a lot of work to regain the respect of his teammates and the club executives.
"Is there a way back for him at Liverpool? There's a few bridges to cross before that can happen. It's about the respect, that's the only thing we look for. This is one of the most iconic football clubs in the world -- you can't disrespect it," he said. "That's something I will ensure before anything happens in the future. That bridge will need to be crossed."
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