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There was much ado about Suso in June as the talented 20-year-old attacking midfielder faced a decision that many youngsters do when contracted at a domestic and continental powerhouse. A month later, Suso declared his intention to stay at Liverpool despite one year remaining on his contract. A new contract would be the best way to achieve a prolonged stay beyond the end of this season. He wants to be here and the news that Liverpool have opened talks with the Spanish youth international will ensure that Suso's relationship with Liverpool FC continues.
Suso was one of a number of players who returned from Liverpool on loan but may be the only one of the loanees who remains with the squad as opposed to spending further time on loan or departing permanently. In the transfer window, there are many words spoken in the knowledge that player and club are on differing trajectories. Brendan Rodgers has not spoken much about Suso's role or future in preseason. In March, Brendan Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo that he was pleased with the progress Suso made in his "terrific loan" in Spain and that on the youngster's return in the summer, an assessment will be made to see "where he's at" in his development.
Of course, the onus is on the player to impress the manager and Suso has been doing that. He is presumably working exceptionally hard in training and taking every opportunity to say the right things. After he scored his first senior goal in Liverpool's friendly win over Preston, he said we would work as hard as he could to get a chance as he's "not really a young player anymore" with "more responsibilities" as he supposedly moves onto the next stage of his development.
This attitude is what a young player needs to remain around the first-team squad. Sure, there'll be an understanding that a player will make mistakes and should round out his game in the years to come but to make a contribution in the present, talent combined with maturity, professionalism, and dedication is required. The impressive loan spell at Almería, the renewed focus at Liverpool, the flashes of quality, the talent, the positive interviews, and the probable focus in training has earned Suso the right to fight for Liverpool for what could and should be many years.
"We are talking with the club already," Suso disclosed. "Hopefully I will sign a new contract soon. I want to stay here. I wanted to go on loan because at my age I felt I needed to play every week and feel important to a club. I played nearly every game and helped Almeria stay up. I was lucky enough to play against Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but the most important thing is that I learned a lot and became a better player."
"That was vital as now I'm back fighting for places with the best players in the Premier League. It's a good challenge for me to prove I can be here and I can play for this team. I probably feel most comfortable in a central role behind the striker but I can also play on the right - I just want to play."
Liverpool have been rightly focused on making the necessary additions to the squad in the transfer window and the swiftness has been impressive. If not for the collapse of the Loïc Rémy deal, Liverpool would have been looking at only a few more additions before Brendan Rodgers' desired squad is complete. However, the likes of Jon Flanagan and Jordan Henderson will need their contracts renewed soon. While there is no concerns about the loyalty of the players or the clubs plans for them, any news on contract talks is positive even if such news was expected. It is hoped that Suso can agree a deal quickly and get down to the business of fighting for minutes at Liverpool FC.
