Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers wants striker Luis Suarez to pen a new contract. Liverpool want to extend his contract and increase his £80,000-a-week pay to be in line with the club's highest earners.

When asked if the club were any closer to announcing Suarez's new deal, Rodgers said: "We hope so.

"I have had a good conversation with him over the phone.

"We have exchanged lots of texts. He sent me a text on the first morning, wishing me good luck. He has really bought in to what we are trying to do.

"He was really excited about how we played at Swansea last year. He is really keen and looking forward to playing in a similar sort of model.

"We hope we're getting closer to agreeing a new contract with him. There has been good dialogue. People always talk about the players coming, but what is important are the ones you already have. I look at this group and I see a really good group of players."