Transfer news: Liverpool urged to sell Luis Suarez 'sooner rather than later' by former player John Barnes

The Liverpool legend urges the Reds to let the Arsenal target leave

Luis Suarez and Brendan Rodgers in Melbourne (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool should sell Luis Suarez if he's unhappy - and do it “sooner rather than later” according to Anfield legend John Barnes.

The Uruguay striker is the subject of a £40m bid from Arsenal and is set to hold talks with the Gunners over a proposed move - however Liverpool continue to insist Suarez is not for sale and that the current bid is well short of his valuation.

However Barnes, who played for Liverpool for 10 years, says it is not in the Anfield club's interest to hold out as they need time to find a suitable replacement.

"We've seen in the past when transfers go down to the last minute that it doesn't help anybody, especially for a club like Liverpool who, if they lose Suarez, would have to find a big name replacement," Barnes told TalkSPORT.

"I'd like it to be done sooner rather than later because if it goes down to the last day, and you then have to go and get somebody, it's not ideal."

Barnes went on to suggest that if a player is unhappy, and their commitment uncertain, it is easier to let them leave.

"As far as Suarez is concerned, if he's not going to be happy, then he has to go.

"We can all say, 'yes, we think Suarez is going to be a player like Carlos Tevez, who gives 100 per cent no matter what' but we don't know what his mental state is going to be if he doesn't get his wish [to leave Liverpool]."