Poyet, the Brighton manager, rushed to his close friend's defence following the recent race row with Manchester United's Patrice Evra.
Gus Poyet has raised further doubts about Luis Suarez's Liverpool future by admitting he fears his compatriot will quit English football.
Poyet, the Brighton manager, rushed to his close friend's defence following the recent race row with Manchester United's Patrice Evra. Their families even spent time together after Poyet's side were beaten 6-1 in the FA Cup last month. But when asked if there was a danger Uruguayan striker Suarez would leave English football in the aftermath of a series of controversies, Poyet said: "Yes. Yes. I am sorry for Liverpool."
The Liverpool player, who faces Everton in tonight's [Tuesday] Merseyside derby at Anfield, has become a target of terrace hatred since being found guilty of using racially offensive language towards Evra, giving rise to an eight-game ban and pounds 40,000 fine.
"He was worried about everything that happened, it was a shock," Poyet said. "I just hope that we can keep him in England. I would like him to stay for English football. Otherwise you lose so much. He wanted just to play and it was difficult to understand the language. I am sure he will show his quality because everybody knows he is a good player."
Poyet added that, although the striker had said nothing explicitly to him about leaving Merseyside, he wondered whether the situation could be retrieved. His comments follow suggestions that Paris St-Germain are preparing a summer bid and Suarez appearing to welcome such interest on French television.
Liverpool were unconcerned by the Canal Plus interview and have rejected the idea it represented a hint to the Qatari-owned PSG.
Suarez was invited to talk about his international team-mate Diego Lugano. In the interview, Suarez expressed his contentment of life at Anfield and reiterated his commitment to his contract. It is understood he has made it clear leaving Liverpool for the French league would be a step down, despite the wealth on offer.
Only a massive bid from Real Madrid or Barcelona would concern the Liverpool hierarchy.
Poyet said: "If you leave Liverpool you have to be leaving for something bigger. I don't think you leave Liverpool for anything smaller and Liverpool is a top, top club. So you're talking about the top few clubs."
Meanwhile, Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool manager, believes the Football Association will be analysing Arsene Wenger's comments about Suarez's ability to win penalties.
Wenger, the Arsenal manager, suggested the striker went "overboard" in winning a spot kick in the Premier League fixture at Anfield a week ago.
Liverpool are unhappy at the insinuations about the player's diving, which began with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in a league meeting between the clubs.
"I'm sure the FA will look into it and take him to task," Dalglish said of Wenger. "If you can't comment on the England manager's position, then I'm sure he can't comment on another player. He never said that to me, he said it was a fantastic performance and they were very fortunate to win."
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