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 to cover the suction hole and the surface in which the suction hole is formed in the cap member , the suction assisting member including a surface that forms a suction path between the suction assisting member 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 and the surface in which the suction hole is formed; wherein the suction assisting member 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 . 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 to cover the suction hole and the surface in which the suction hole is formed in the cap member , the suction assisting member including a surface that forms a suction path between the suction assisting member 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 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 to cover the suction hole and the surface in which the suction hole is formed in the cap member , the suction assisting member including a surface that forms a suction path between the suction assisting member 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 and the surface in which the suction hole is formed; wherein the suction assisting member 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 . <EOS>