Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva believes that teammate Luis Suarez will be a Reds player by the start of next season, despite his 10-match ban.

The Uruguay international has been linked with a possible move away from Anfield after he was hit with a lengthy suspension for biting the arm of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

"I have been with Luis almost every day since what happened," the Liverpool Echo quotes Lucas as saying. "He's okay now. He knows that he will have to miss a few games but he will come back strongly from this.

"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."

The 26-year-old, who came second to Gareth Bale in the PFA Player of the Year list and was named in the PFA Team of the Year, was booed when his name was read out during the awards ceremony on Sunday.