Luis Suarez: One day I will return to Ajax

Liverpool forward Luis Suarez hopes to return to Ajax later in his career and has lauded the impact his time at the club had on his development.

The Uruguay international spent three-and-a-half seasons in Amsterdam, lifting the Eredivisie title and scoring an astonishing 81 goals in 110 league matches.

And the 27-year-old, who has enjoyed a double award-winning campaign on Merseyside this season, says he is still "crazy" about the Dutch giants and keen to play for them again in the future.

"I've always said on one day I will return at Ajax," Suarez told Helden magazine. “Even if the manager doesn't want me, I'll go. For sure!

"Ajax was a very important step in my life. My wife Sofia and I are crazy about Amsterdam and the lifestyle, the respect from and for everyone.

"We had a happy life and could live there in peace. We walked a lot through Amsterdam."

Suarez was named the Professional Footballers' Association's and Football Writers' Association's Player of the Year after a prolific season for Liverpool and credits his education at Ajax for helping turn him into one of the best players in the world.

"Ajax was the ideal club for me and I learned a lot there," he continued. "I credit Ajax for teaching me to use both feet, but also how to play without the ball and how to be a team player.

"[Former manager] Martin Jol gave me a lot of confidence. I was honoured when he made me captain of the team and I felt responsible."

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De Boer keen on Spurs & Liverpool

Ajax coach Frank de Boer admits he would be interested in managing Liverpool or Tottenham, but revealed he has turned down previous approaches from both clubs.

The former Netherlands international took over at Ajax in December 2010 and has led the club to three successive Eredivisie titles.

And the 43-year-old, who was heavily linked with a move to White Hart Lane after Andre Villas-Boas' dismissal, says he would be open to a move to the Premier League.

"Those two clubs [Liverpool or Tottenham] are clubs that I think in the future I could be a manager of," De Boer told the BBC.

"I think the history of the clubs and what you can do with the team is my cup of tea.

"But I'm not really thinking about it because I'm very happy here at Ajax. I'm not in a hurry to leave because everybody is still happy with me.

"I step in my car with a big smile to go to the club. I don't think I'm finished here but there will come a time when I don't like it any more or the club doesn't like me any more.

"Then we have to part ways."

De Boer confirmed that both Liverpool and Tottenham have approached him in the past, while he also revealed he turned down the chance to take charge at White Hart Lane after Villas-Boas was sacked in December.

"Tottenham called my boss with the possibility after sacking Villas-Boas but I said: 'No, right now it's not the right moment,'" he added.

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Balotelli: AC Milan showed character against Ajax

Mario Balotelli hailed AC Milan's character after they battled their way to a 0-0 draw with Ajax on Wednesday evening that earned the Italian outfit a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

The Rossoneri were reduced to 10 men midway through the first half when Riccardo Montolivo received his marching orders for a reckless tackle on Christian Poulsen, but Massimiliano Allegri's men managed to hold on to claim the point they needed to reach the next round at their opponents' expense.

"We had to go through a lot, especially after the sending-off. We had to defend and we showed great character," Balotelli told reporters.

"It was difficult to score and the only way to get the result was to defend well. It depends from game to game, but Wednesday we were forced to defend with 10 men.

"We are a good group and we are showing it in every game. It was a very good duel against Ajax."

Balotelli then stressed that Milan now need to address their dismal Serie A form, with the Rossoneri currently ninth in the standings after a dreadful start to the season.

"We have done well in Europe but now we must do well in the domestic league," the former Manchester City forward declared.

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HIGHLIGHTS : BARCELONA VS AJAX

FT Barcelona 4 - 0 Ajax half-time: (1 - 0) match details : 22' Lionel Messi 1 - 0 55' Lionel Messi 2 - 0 69' Gerard Piqué 3 - 0 75' Lionel Messi 4 - 0 77

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Barcelona vs Ajax / LINE UPS

Barcelona injuries and suspensions

Out: Carles Puyol (knee), Ibrahim Afellay (thigh), Jordi Alba (right leg)

Ajax injuries and suspensions

Out: Joel Veltman (knee)

Projected lineups

Barcelona: Victor Valdes; Dani Alves, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique, Adriano Correia; Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta; Alexis Sanchez, Lionel Messi, Neymar.

Ajax: Kenneth Vermeer; Ricardo van Rhijn, Niklas Moisander, Stefano Denswil, Nicolai Boilesen; Christian Poulsen, Lasse Schone, Thulani Serero; Bojan Krkic, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, Viktor Fischer.

Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain

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