Luis Suarez could have been lining up for Arsenal against Barcelona on Tuesday rather than the other way around - and Gunners' fans should be cursing Steven Gerrard for that.

Suarez - who scored his 41st goal of the season in the 2-1 victory over Las Palmas on Saturday - has revealed that it was a training-ground chat with his Liverpool skipper Gerrard that persuaded the Uruguayan striker to head for the Nou Camp rather than the Emirates.

Arsenal were believed to have been lining up a £40million bid for Suarez in 2013 only for Suarez to stay at Anfield, fire Liverpool to the brink of the title, and then head to Spain instead.

Luis Suarez is in sensational form for Barcelona and will look to add to his tally this season against Arsenal

Suarez was convinced by former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard to snub a move to Arsenal in 2013

'Arsenal's interest in me was very public,' said Suarez. 'I don't think it is any secret.'

'I had a private conversation with Stevie after training, and he told me to give Liverpool another season, and wait for Barcelona.

'Looking back now it is one of the most important conversations of my life, but that is Stevie, he was a captain who was always ready to give his players advice.'

It left Arsenal lamenting missing out on one of Europe's hottest shots, a player who has gone on to score 66 goals in 80 matches for Barca, though he won' t be taking the club he almost joined lightly this week.

The Uruguayan was back in the goals on Saturday as Luis Enrique's side beat Las Palmas 2-1 in La Liga

Gerrard proved an influential figure both on and off the field at Anfield and advised Suarez on his career

SUPER STAT Luis Suárez was the first player to register double figures for both goals (25) and assists (10) this season in La Liga. Advertisement

'We are playing very well, but we can not be complacent about Arsenal at all,' he said. 'They have players that can hurt any team in Europe, and they look like they have a very good chance of winning the Premier League this season.

'They are one of the best teams in England, and we will have to perform at our best.'

Suarez, who enjoyed three-and-half colourful seasons at Anfield before his £75m move to Barcelona, still has a soft spot for Liverpool.

He said: 'They will always be close to my heart, and I want to see them back in the Champions League.