Steven Gerrard expects ‘happy’ Luis Suarez to stay at Liverpool

Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has hailed Luis Suarez as the best player he has played alongside and is confident the prolific frontman will stay at the club at least until the end of the season.

Fans were shocked as Suarez looked set to leave Anfield in the summer after expressing his frustration at again missing out on the Champions League.

Arsenal made two bids, the second just over £40million, in an attempt to trigger a release clause. However, the Reds stood firm and insisted the controversial Uruguayan would be staying put.

Suarez missed the first six games of the campaign as he completed his 10-match ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in April. He has made up for lost time since his return, scoring nine goals in seven league games.

The 26-year-old is expected to be the source of much speculation in the January transfer window but his Liverpool skipper is unconcerned. He claimed Suarez is now committed to the Reds.

“I think he is happy. I think he is pleased with the decision he has made to stay around,” Gerrard told ESPN.

“He is in good form. The team are playing well so I think January won’t be a problem. But come the summer, I think depending how Liverpool have done will determine what goes through Luis’ mind.

He is the key. His goals, his performance and his form will be the key whether we finish in the top four or not.”

Gerrard, who inspired England to qualification for the 2014 World Cup in October, has played with some top players, the likes of Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler. However, Suarez is “out on his own”.

“The only player who comes close to producing what Luis produced in a red shirt is Fernando Torres but Luis just pipped him for me,” Gerrard added.