Luis Suarez says Liverpool future is not dependent on Champions League qualification

The Uruguay international also reveals that strike partner Daniel Sturridge has been learning some Portuguese

Luis Suarez (GETTY IMAGES)

Luis Suarez has indicated he will remain at Liverpool next season, even if the club fails to qualify for the Champions League.

The future of the Uruguayan has widely been understood to be tied with the Reds finishing in the top four this term. The striker came close to a move away last summer, with the lure of Europe's elite competition cited as a contributing factor in his desire to leave.

However, Suarez was convinced to remain at Anfield and has gone on to produce the best form of his career, scoring 24 league goals this term.

It would now seem he is prepared to stay at the club, even if they slip from their current occupation of the Premier League's top four places.

In an exclusive interview with the April edition of FourFourTwo magazine, he was asked if he would stay even without Champions League football.

"I think so," he said. "I signed my new contract because I'm very happy here and I want to stay where I'm enjoying football and life. Playing in the Champions League isn't dependent on that."

Suarez's ties with Liverpool appear to run deep, with the former Ajax player suggesting the success of the team is more important than personal accolades.

“I'd actually prefer not to win this Golden Boot and for Liverpool to qualify for the Champions League this season.”

Even if not appearing overly fussed, Suarez looks a certainty for the Premier League golden boot. Perhaps the only player who could challenge him is his own team-mate, Daniel Sturridge, who is six goals back in second place in the goal scoring charts on 18 goals.

It is this partnership, dubbed the 'SAS', that Suarez believes has fired Liverpool into genuine title contention this season.

"The best thing is that defences aren't only looking at what Suarez is doing," he told FourFourTwo.

"We create space for each other, and for our team-mates to take advantage of. If we're marked, then it means someone else isn't."

Suarez even revealed that while the pair at times appear to have a telepathic communication on the field, they've also got good communication off it, with Sturridge even learning some Portuguese.

"Daniel's a great guy, always making me, Lucas and Philippe [Coutinho] laugh. There were lots of Brazilians at Chelsea so his Portuguese isn't bad, actually.

"He should do well at the World Cup, because he already knows the language!"

Liverpool's next game is a trip to Old Trafford, a match that could have huge implications for both Liverpool and Manchester United's season.