This summer's transfer window was full of speculation about Luis Suarez' Liverpool future. It was widely expected the Uruguayan would leave Liverpool after the Anfield outfit's disappointing seventh-place finish and consequent failure to qualify for this season's Champions League.
What's more, a great deal of Liverpool's supporters wanted the controversial striker out of the club after his two lengthy bans - one for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra and one for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic - had tarnished Liverpool's reputation.
But after no serious offer materialised from Real Madrid - seemingly Suarez' preferred destination - and Arsenal's offer of £40million plus £1 was turned down, El Pistolero accepted he would have to stay at Liverpool.
No-one at Liverpool has regretted the refusal to sell their biggest star. After returning from his10-match-suspension, Suarez has scored six goals in just four games and he impressed everyone with his brilliant hat-trick against West Brom last Saturday.
However, on the back of fresh rumours that Real Madrid are planning to offer Karim Benzema plus £20million for Suarez, debate amongst Liverpool supporters has started anew.
Most Liverpool fans have forgiven and forgotten and now want their attacking talisman to stay at Anfield. They feel Suarez is pivotal for Liverpool's chances of returning to the Champions League wonderland.
They do not think Benzema is good enough to succeed in the Premier League and they think that the reported £20millon to be offered as part of a deal should be closer to £40million.
They are wrong on all accounts but one.
Granted, Suarez is scoring for fun and is arguably the Premier League's best player at the moment. The problem is, he is also a bomb that can blow any time.
Even though everything appears rosy now, there is nothing to guarantee Suarez's continuing good mood. The two lengthy bans are proof that when Suarez gets frustrated, he has a hard time controlling his impulses.
Liverpool would be a stronger, more homogenous side if the club swapped Suarez for Benzema. Not only is the Real Madrid striker an excellent goalscorer, his statistics prove he can assist goals as well.
The often underrated French international has got the strength and the intelligence to succeed in the Premier League.
Liverpool supporters are right about one thing, though. If Real Madrid want Suarez then they will surely have to pay more than Benzema plus £20million.
They have just broken the world transfer record to bring Gareth Bale to the Spanish capital and some would argue that Suarez is at least equally as good as the Welshman. Therefore, a makeweight of £40million would be more realistic.
Benzema alone would not replace Suarez's potency, but that is where the £40million comes in.
Benzema, coupled with one or two high-class attacking players funded by money received for Suarez, would not only make up for the loss of the Uruguayan, they would actually make Liverpool stronger.
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