Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard says he feared Luis Suarez would leave the club during the summer transfer window.

Suarez, 26, stated his will numerous times to leave Anfield and was the topic of two bids from Arsenal, which were rejected. Suarez was also linked with Real Madrid.

Gerrard, when asked if he thought he played his last game with Suarez said, “Every day in the summer. When you have a player as good as Luis Suarez, you know that the big clubs are going to want him.”

Gerrard added that he was “waking up every morning, hoping that nothing would happen and that he would still be here.”

However Suarez returned to action for Liverpool, (following a 10-game ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic) when he started in the 1-0 Capital One Cup defeat at Manchester Utd last Wednesday.

In addition, the Uruguayan made his Premier League return in Liverpool’s 3-1 win at the Stadium of Light against manager-less Sunderland on Saturday. Suarez scored a brace and Daniel Sturridge netted the other.

Gerrard was desperate for Suarez to stay, “nobody tried harder than me to make him stay and he knows exactly what I think of him. I knew if we could keep him here, the better our chances would be. He is a special type of footballer and he gives us something different.”

Gerrard also admired Suarez’s commitent and desire, “I think it is a credit to Luis for the way he has come back. A lot of players who have been in his position might have come back and spat the dummy out, not trying for the team. But he is not that type of guy.”

He realised that the club wanted to keep him and he has respected their decision. He is here now and he wants to stay. He wants to achieve something this season and he looks as hungry as he has ever done.”

Suarez is expected to start in Liverpool’s game with Crystal Palace at Anfield this Saturday.