Barnes believes the forward’s departure for Spain in inevitable.
Despite having just signed a new deal, Liverpool legend John Barnes says Luis Suarez will join Real Madrid next summer even if the Reds finish in the top four.
With the 26-year-old in such good form in front of goal the Merseyside club have started well in the league this season and have a very realistic chance of making the Champions League places.
Many believe that the lure of top European football would convince Suarez to stay at Anfield, but Barnes thinks that Madrid would be too attractive to turn down for the South American.
“Liverpool need to finish in the top four to have any chance of holding on to Suarez,” the ex-England international told talkSPORT.
“That’s not to say though that, by qualifying for the Champions League, he will definitely stay.
“He’s signed a new contract but, even if they finish fourth, if Real Madrid come in [then he’ll leave]”
Suarez has been in spectacular form since coming back into the starting XI after completing a 10 match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
In just 13 league matches the 26-year-old already has 19 goals and nine assists and has formed strong on-field relationships with the likes of Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge.
However, this form has of course attracted the attention of the best clubs in the world and having sold Gonzalo Higuain to Napoli in the summer, Los Blancos are on the look out for new attacking support.
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