City, as is their way, seem to have allowed it to become public that they are interested in the player, but are set to be disappointed, as they were with Robin van Persie.

"There will be no bidding war, he's staying here," the Liverpool manager said. "I don't know if City want him, you would have to ask Roberto Mancini that, but if we lose Luis then we have no strikers, so we can't afford to lose anyone."

He was later backed by Suárez himself, who told Liverpoolfc.com: "I have a very long contract here and it's a dream come true to be playing at a club like Liverpool because, as I've said, as a boy I dreamt of playing for a team like this.

"Now I'm here it's all about enjoying myself and trying to be here for as many years as I can, because I'm at a club where I'm very happy, my family is happy, I've got fantastic team-mates and a manager from whom I'm learning so much."