WHAT HE SAID AND WHAT HE MEANT

WHAT HE SAID: ‘I would never want the fans to think bad of me, to think I just want as much money for myself. I want them to understand it’s been a bit much for me this season, with everyone talking about it every minute.’

WHAT HE MEANT: Can’t a guy just let his contract run down in peace?

WHAT HE SAID: ‘It’s never been about money. I talk about winning trophies throughout my career. That’s all I talk about.’

WHAT HE MEANT: Finishing the season empty-handed won’t help the situation.

WHAT HE SAID: ‘I don’t talk about how many cars I’m going to drive, how many houses I’ve got. I just purely want to be the best I can be.’

WHAT HE MEANT: If you’re wondering, I drive a Mercedes C63 and also have a Range Rover 4x4. They are both white.

WHAT HE SAID: ‘You really want to be working with world-class players day in, day out. It’s obviously left a little dent, these two world-class superstars (Suarez and Gerrard) leaving, but I think we have good players coming through at Liverpool.’

WHAT HE MEANT: Players come and go. Deal with it.

WHAT HE SAID: On Arsenal’s interest: ‘Quite flattering.’

WHAT HE MEANT: Auctions are always better when more people turn up.

WHAT HE SAID: ‘Everyone’s dream growing up is seeing themselves in an away kit somewhere in a sunny country. But, in reality, I’m happy to be playing for Liverpool and trying to win trophies.’

WHAT HE MEANT: Barcelona and Madrid are nice cities. And warm, too.

WHAT HE SAID: ‘If, at that point in time, I was offered a contract, I most definitely would have signed straight away, probably for far less money than being said now. I just think the timing was a bit off.’

WHAT HE MEANT: You need me more than ever now.

WHAT HE SAID: ‘I just want to focus on football and, when it gets to the end of the season, assess my position as a 20-year-old player playing in the Premier League.’

WHAT HE MEANT: Literally all of the power in this situation is with me.