Liverpool gives three-fold salary hike to Suarez

London, Aug 8 (ANI): Liverpool has given a three fold salary hike to striker Luis Suarez as they eye a Champions League future.

The Uruguay striker has signed a new four-year contract that has taken his salary from a relatively modest 40,000 pounds-a-week to 120,000-pounds-a-week, putting him at par with some of the club's highest earners, such as skipper Steven Gerrard.

Suarez and his new manager Brendan Rodgers insisted the deal was proof of Liverpool's intent to return to the club game's top table.

"The new contract with Liverpool is unbelievable for me. I am so happy here with the club and in the city," Suarez explained.

"I hope to play for many years here. This is a great team and everyone around the world knows Liverpool, The Daily Mirror quoted him, as saying.

"I know what the manager wants. I spoke with him last week and he spoke fantastic. He wants to play with the ball all the time and that is very important. I have signed because we hope for the best position. Every year Liverpool have been looking at the Champions League and that is what we aim at now," Suarez said.

The Suarez deal is part of Rodgers' plan to change things around at Anfield, getting rid of fringe players who are on massive money, and pay big wages to true match-winners. (ANI)