Suarez: Gerrard convinced me to stay

Liverpool star Luis Suarez has spoken about the ‘hours’ captain Steven Gerrard spent persuading him to stay at the club.

The Uruguay international, 27, was expected to leave the Premier League club in the off-season, trying to get a move to a club involved in the UEFA Champions League.

Suarez eventually accepted he would remain with Brendan Rodgers’ side and signed a new contract in December last year.

Speaking to the April issue of FourFourTwo, Suarez revealed the ‘massive part’ Gerrard played in convincing him to stay.

“He didn’t talk about me, or through me, in the press, but in person,” Suarez said.

“In those moments I forgot that he was world football great Gerrard, a Liverpool legend, but as a humble person, who spoke to me with all his heart for hours.

“He said I was the best forward he’d ever played with, which given the amazing strikers that he’s played with at Liverpool, was amazing for me to hear.

“I’ll never forget that.”

Suarez has played a key role in helping Liverpool into the Champions League places in the Premier League, scoring 23 times.

And despite his disciplinary issues, Suarez was handed the captain’s armband in Gerrard’s absence in December.

“It was weird – strange,” Suarez said.

“I’d never imagined myself as Liverpool skipper. After everything that had happened with me, to retain the support of the club, the coach and my team-mates showed me they were happy to forget and forgive.

“It proved that my commitment to the club and to my team-mates is genuine and that I’m giving the maximum.

“Everyone here lives to help the club. Being Liverpool captain is something that validates you and makes you feel appreciated because there have been some fantastic leaders here.”