Former Liverpool coach Phil Thompson thinks striker Luis Suarez’s four-month Fifa ban from all competitions was one scandal too many in the eyes of the Reds, who are selling the forward.
The 27-year-old received the suspension after biting Italy centre-half Giorgio Chiellini whilst on World Cup duty with Uruguay last month and his appeal against the punishment was rejected.
Liverpool have announced that the controversial star will depart Anfield following three seasons on Merseyside and his move to Barca is now a formality.
Thompson, who also captained Liverpool during his playing days and took over as caretaker manager when then-boss Gerard Houllier was unwell, told Sky Sports News: “His in-laws are in Spain and he thinks it will be lovely for his wife to be with her family, so it has all fallen into place.
“The speculation about his future was already affecting everyone and then the biting incident took place which moved things along for Liverpool.
“I think they realised this is the opportunity, and we couldn’t go on like this any further, not when every transfer window came along.
“The football club did magnificently well last summer to reject the £40million plus £1 bid from Arsenal and have managed to get quite a bit more now.”