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Luis Suarez has backed Brendan Rodgers to bring success to Liverpool FC – and has heralded his former captain Steven Gerrard as an “inspiration”.

The Uruguayan moved to Barcelona this summer in a £75m deal and is set to make his first team debut for the Catalan giants against Real Madrid on October 25 following the end of his four-month ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini.

But the striker has been reflecting on his time on Merseyside, and predicts big things for the Reds under Rodgers.

“Brendan Rodgers has great ideas,” he told Shortlist magazine. “I said when I left the club that I was leaving them in good hands, and I am sure he will be even more successful than he has been.”

The 27-year-old scored 31 league goals for Liverpool last season and was voted PFA Player of the Year – but Suarez reserved special praise for Gerrard, saying he wish he could have taken his former captain to Camp Nou.

“I don’t think the fans would have been happy if I had taken their players, but every team could use Steven Gerrard,” he added.

“He is such a leader, such an inspiration – Liverpool are very fortunate to have had him for his entire career.”

Suarez was recently quoted in Barcelona’s club magazine saying the Reds’ 2013/14 success was largely down to him, but he has also spoken of his fondness for Liverpool both as a club and city.



“I have said Liverpool will be in my heart, so now I will watch them,” said Suarez.

“I already knew Barcelona well as a city – my wife has a family over here and that was a factor in our decision.

“Liverpool will always be a city in my heart, so now I will watch them.

“The Liverpool fans and the city itself will both always be with me in my heart [but] I won’t miss the media.”

He also revealed his favourite goal during his time at Anfield was his strike from the halfway line against Norwich at Carrow Road in April 2012.

“It was a great goal for me, but also it was my first hat-trick for Liverpool, so it was a great occasion as well,” he said.

Suarez has not played a competitive fixture since Uruguay’s 1-0 win over Italy at the World Cup – the game when he bit defender Chiellini.

It soured what had been a magnificent World Cup until that point, with Suarez scoring twice to beat England 2-1 in Sao Paolo.

“Roy Hodgson did not want to acknowledge that I was a top player, so I did feel like I had something to prove. I was not even close to being fully fit when I played against England, but I was still able to answer the critics,” said Suarez.

“I do not want to miss any football, and I will make sure that will not be happening.”