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LUCAS LEIVA is hoping the unwavering support of Liverpool FC players and supporters will convince Luis Suarez to stay at Anfield this summer.

The Uruguayan striker’s future remains uncertain as he comes to terms with his 10-game ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.

Boss Brendan Rodgers has urged his 30-goal top scorer, who was left devastated by the severity of the punishment, to take his time and not make any rash decisions.

Lucas is close to Suarez and has been helping his friend and team-mate deal with the aftermath of the controversy.

The Brazilian midfielder, who is desperate for the frontman to stay put, says a remorseful Suarez is determined to ensure he’s "a better person" when his suspension ends in September.

"I have been with Luis almost every day since what happened," Lucas said.

"He’s okay now. He knows that he will have to miss a few games but he will come back strongly from this.

"He will try to come back as a better footballer if possible and a better person too.

"We hope that he can relax now and really work on things he thinks he can improve on.

"As players, we are all right behind him. He’s an important player for this club and he’s also a person who we have to help.

"I haven’t discussed his future with him. We don’t talk about it as that’s his private business.

"I can’t tell what he has in mind but he has a contract and I think every player here is looking forward to next season

"The fact the fans sung his name so much at St James’ Park just showed the love they have for Luis. For sure, he loves this club as well.

"We all hope Luis will still be a Liverpool player next season."

Lucas admits Saturday’s 6-0 thrashing of Newcastle United was the perfect response after a difficult week.

In the absence of Suarez, the Reds rose to the challenge after Rodgers had urged them to ensure that on this occasion it was the quality of their performance which grabbed the headlines.

"Before the game Brendan said it was a case of making sure it was our football that the press were talking about and not other things," Lucas said.

"We showed on Saturday that we are a team. We approached the game in the right way and played with a lot of confidence and intensity.

"After going 4-0 up in the second half, we just controlled the game. I remember when we beat Newcastle 5-1 at St James’ Park a few years ago and this was even better.

"But even though we won 6-0 there are still areas that we can improve upon. We need to keep working and keep believing."

The rout of Alan Pardew’s struggling side ended a run of three straight league draws and ensured Liverpool will go into Sunday’s 220th Merseyside derby at Anfield on a high.

Lucas knows Everton, who are five points better off, must be beaten if the Reds want to keep alive their hopes of leapfrogging their rivals over the final weeks of the campaign and securing a top-six finish.

"We still have a chance of catching Everton and that’s our target," he said.

"We know we have to win if we want to finish a position higher than we are now.

"Merseyside derbies are always special to play in. The atmosphere will be amazing at Anfield and it’s the kind of game you really look forward to playing in.

"We will go into the derby with a lot of confidence. Hopefully we can get another win and try to finish the season on a bit of a high.

"It’s been a difficult season for us but we have to keep going. We still have three games remaining and the chance to get nine more points. The manner of our victory against Newcastle showed the character of everyone."

Lucas believes that triumph in the North East underlined the Reds’ continued attacking threat despite being without the services of their top scorer.

Daniel Sturridge replaced Suarez in the side and led the line brilliantly.

The £12million man’s clinical double took his tally for the club to eight goals in 13 appearances.

Philippe Coutinho flourished in a central role just behind Sturridge, while two-goal Jordan Henderson starred on the left flank.

There was also the welcome sight of striker Fabio Borini making his return from a shoulder injury and grabbing his first Premier League goal for the club.

Lucas said: "Luis had a fantastic season and had probably been the best player in the Premier League over the past nine months.

"With him out, of course we lose a lot of quality. We miss him a lot but that performance showed that we have other good players who can score goals and win us matches.

"Daniel has been playing very well. In the second half against Chelsea and again against Newcastle he showed that he can do that job.

"It was important that goals came from other players as well. We can’t just look to Daniel. The responsibility is on everyone.

"Jordan has worked so hard and he deserved his goals. With Newcastle being the big rivals of Sunderland he was really happy.

"Coutinho was playing in a different position as a No 10. We managed to get him on the ball a lot and he showed what he can do. He loves to give that final pass.

"I speak a lot with Fabio because I know what it’s like to be out injured for a long time. It’s been a tough first season for him here and he’s been been unlucky.

"But now he’s back and will be important for us. To score was a bonus and we were really happy for him.

"As a team we were very good from the keeper right through to the centre-forward. We kept a clean sheet and scored six goals. Now we have to keep it going."

After being granted some time off, Suarez will return to Melwood this week to continue training with the Reds.

The striker will attend Sunday’s derby at Anfield.