Luis Suarez has underlined Liverpool wantaway star Philippe Coutinho's "excitement" at the prospect of joining Barcelona.
The Brazilian handed in a transfer request during the summer to force through a move to Camp Nou but Liverpool stood firm in the face of bids in excess of £90million from the Spanish giants.
Suarez retains hopes of a reunion with his former Liverpool team-mate and backed Coutinho's ambition and professionalism to continue playing for the Reds despite wanting to take a "step further" in his career.
"Obviously he must be excited [to join Barcelona] because he's a player who has ambition and any player would want to come to Barca," he told Mundo Deportivo.
"I know him as a person and as a player because I played with him, but everyone knows what Coutinho can contribute. He is a footballer, who today, plays at a very high level."
He added: "He went through a difficult and very complicated moment but as a professional he continued to show how good a player he is and the personal quality he has.
"Despite trying to leave Liverpool he continued helping the team and working. He is demonstrating as a professional who has the ambition to take a step further."
