Luis Suarez made his feelings on Liverpool fans clear after he infuriated them - 'So sad'
Luis Suarez left Liverpool for Barcelona in 2014 and spoke of his disappointment at missing out on the Premier League and his changing relationship with some supporters after leaving Anfield
Luis Suarez has congratulated Liverpool on their Premier League title win but may have a tinge of regret over what could have been during his time at Anfield. The Uruguayan forward spent three-and-a-half years with the Reds before making the switch to Barcelona in 2014.
Liverpool secured their 20th top-flight league title on Sunday. Arne Slot's team only needed a draw against Tottenham Hotspur to claim the Premier League crown, but went above and beyond, clinching their success with an emphatic 5-1 win at home.
The outpouring of joy was long overdue for Liverpool supporters, whose last title celebration in 2020 was subdued due to the Covid-19 restrictions. The last time Anfield had been able to revel in becoming league champions was 1990, but Suarez has previously voiced his sorrow at not being able to break the title drought back in 2014.
Despite leaving for Barcelona in a high-profile transfer that summer, Suarez remained a cherished figure among the Anfield faithful. However, he acknowledged that celebrating a goal against Liverpool during the 2019 Champions League semi-final left some fans feeling bitter.
"In the last year when I played there at Anfield, I was so sad for the supporters [that we missed out on the title]," Suarez reflected in a conversation with Liverpool's club website in 2020. "I know some Liverpool supporters were angry with me because I celebrated a goal against Liverpool here in Camp Nou [last season], and for that, I am so sad.
"I accept that, and I say that hopefully they understand my situation: we were playing at home and in the Champions League semi-final.
"I lived one of the best moments of my life there, and I think the supporters didn't forget how my attitude was in the Liverpool shirt. Now, hopefully, they are so happy with the Premier League trophy this year."
Following an extraordinary comeback from a 3-0 deficit to topple Barcelona in their semi-final encounter, Liverpool secured their sixth European Cup by defeating Spurs in the 2019 Champions League final. The next season, Jurgen Klopp's squad finished an impressive 18 points clear to clinch the Premier League title, ending their prolonged wait.
Meanwhile, Suarez pondered the misfortunes in his final year on Merseyside. In the 2013/14 season, under Brendan Rodgers' management, the stellar striker made a remarkable impact as Liverpool finished second. Suarez netted 31 goals in 33 matches, tying Cristiano Ronaldo's record for a 38-game Premier League season at the time.
In late April 2014, Liverpool found themselves top of the table following an 11-match winning run. However, a stinging defeat to Chelsea and a memorable draw with Crystal Palace in two of their final fixtures paved the way for Manchester City to snatch the league title away from Suarez and the Reds.
Despite the heartache, Liverpool have twice realised their long-awaited title dream since Suarez's exit. He previously expressed his delight at seeing his ex-teammate Jordan Henderson lifting trophies for the Reds, and Suarez has also reacted to the recent team's league triumph.
He responded to a post on Liverpool's X account with an exhaling emoji in response to a graphic commemorating the club's 20th title win. Suarez also sent a love heart emoji in response to a post celebrating Slot and his team becoming Premier League champions.
Liverpool clinched the league with four matches to spare. While Slot will strive to keep his squad focused, fans will have already marked their calendars for the trophy parade scheduled for Monday, May 26, the day after the season concludes.