A liquid discharge apparatus comprising: a liquid discharge head to discharge liquid from a plurality of nozzles; and a suction mechanism to suck the liquid from the liquid discharge head, wherein the suction mechanism includes: a cap member to contact the liquid discharge head and cover the plurality of nozzles while forming a space between the cap member and the liquid discharge head; a suction pump connected to the cap member via a suction hole formed in a surface of the cap member to reduce pressure in the space; a suction assisting member (32, 32') to cover the suction hole and the surface in which the suction hole is formed in the cap member, the suction assisting member (32, 32') including a surface that forms a suction path between the suction assisting member (32, 32') and the cap member; and a first support to provide a gap between the surface that forms the suction path of the suction assisting member (32, 32') and the surface in which the suction hole is formed; wherein the suction assisting member (32, 32') includes a groove portion formed in a surface facing the suction hole, the groove portion extending in a direction along a longitudinal direction of the cap member; and characterised in that the groove portion is bifurcated at end portions of the suction assisting member (32, 32'). a liquid discharge head to discharge liquid from a plurality of nozzles; and a suction mechanism to suck the liquid from the liquid discharge head, wherein the suction mechanism includes: a cap member to contact the liquid discharge head and cover the plurality of nozzles while forming a space between the cap member and the liquid discharge head; a suction pump connected to the cap member via a suction hole formed in a surface of the cap member to reduce pressure in the space; a suction assisting member (32, 32') to cover the suction hole and the surface in which the suction hole is formed in the cap member, the suction assisting member (32, 32') including a surface that forms a suction path between the suction assisting member (32, 32') and the cap member; and a first support to provide a gap between the surface that forms the suction path of the suction assisting member (32, 32') and the surface in which the suction hole is formed; a cap member to contact the liquid discharge head and cover the plurality of nozzles while forming a space between the cap member and the liquid discharge head; a suction pump connected to the cap member via a suction hole formed in a surface of the cap member to reduce pressure in the space; a suction assisting member (32, 32') to cover the suction hole and the surface in which the suction hole is formed in the cap member, the suction assisting member (32, 32') including a surface that forms a suction path between the suction assisting member (32, 32') and the cap member; and a first support to provide a gap between the surface that forms the suction path of the suction assisting member (32, 32') and the surface in which the suction hole is formed; wherein the suction assisting member (32, 32') includes a groove portion formed in a surface facing the suction hole, the groove portion extending in a direction along a longitudinal direction of the cap member; and characterised in that the groove portion is bifurcated at end portions of the suction assisting member (32, 32').