Luis Suarez Needs Psychological Help, says Ten Cate

Ajax's former coach Henk ten Cate believes Liverpool star Luis Suarez needs psychological help.

There have been some concerns about his behaviour following his third biting incident – with Fifa suspending him from nine international matches and handing him a four-month ban from all football.

Although Suarez denied biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini at first, reports in Spain claim that Barcelona urged him to shed his "bad boy" image with an apology which he eventually issued in order to pave the way for a move to the Camp Nou.

According to Catalan radio station La Xarxa as quoted by Sport, the former Barcelona assistant coach -- who worked with Suarez at Ajax -- said that Barca have to help the Uruguayan control his emotions.

"Luis needs real help, he just has a problem. He is not bad, he just cannot keep his emotions under control," said ten Cate.

"His family might have to explain to him that some things really cannot happen and that there are other ways to express your emotions. Suarez loses his head too often, but this kind of thing cannot be tolerated."

Ten Cate believes that joining the Catalan club will help the player's rehabilitation.

"I know someone in Barcelona, a psychologist called Imma Puig. She worked for the club when Rijkaard and I were there. They can help Suarez to get better. I'm not saying he should go to her, but she can help him," he said.

"Luis is also a very good player who gives everything and has lots of character -- sometimes too much."

Meanwhile, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and club sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta heaped praise on Suarez for his bravery and humility in expressing an apology following his "mistake".

According to the Daily Mail and The Guardian, the Catalan giants have offered Liverpool around £70m for the Uruguayan after Barca held a productive first meeting with the Merseyside club.