Liverpool have always maintained there was no release clause as such – only a requirement to notify the player and begin negotiations should they wish.

And Gerrard does not think a move to another Barclays Premier League outfit would be right for Suarez, who has since rejoined the first-team squad after apologising for his behaviour over the summer.

Quoted in several national newspapers, the England skipper said: “I didn’t ever think Luis would leave – well, not to another English club anyway.

“I don’t want to disrespect Arsenal, because they are a fantastic club, but I don’t see joining them as being a step forward for Luis.”

He continued: “Luis has got to openly admit this club have stood behind him on a couple of massive occasions and they’ve rewarded him with new contracts as well.

“I think he’s got to stop and realise that the club have been fair to him. He is at the right age (26), he is going to be fantastic for us if he stays for another year.

“There are only really two or three clubs he should leave this football club for if he is taking a step forward.

“If we don’t qualify for the Champions League this season he can go to Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich – and he can go with his head held high.

“The one thing I can assure you – it’s not about money with Luis Suarez.”

Gerrard, who was on the verge of joining Chelsea in 2005 before opting to stick with his boyhood club, added: “I understand we’re a little bit off the Champions League here at the moment, but I think he would ruin the relationship he has got with the supporters here if he went to another English club.

“I saw what happened to Fernando Torres (when he joined Chelsea in January 2011). I didn’t want Luis to make the same mistake and that’s the advice I gave him. He’ll have another chance to move forward to a club that he deserves to be at.”