Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will have no hesitation bringing back Luis Suarez at Old Trafford tonight, despite the bad blood between the striker and Manchester United.
Suarez is available after completing a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic last April.
He also received an eight-game ban in December 2011 for racially abusing Patrice Evra and was then forced to apologise after refusing to shake the player’s hand the following February.
The Old Trafford faithful will be thrilled at the prospect of letting rip at the Uruguay international but Rodgers said: “I’ve got no hesitation about playing him.
“Since I’ve been manager, there has never been an issue like that with him. The history of the clash doesn’t enter my mind. He is a tough character and resilient. He is one of strongest-willed players I’ve come across in my life.
“He is a fighter and his desire to succeed is out there for everybody to see. We’re delighted to have him back.
“It’s a fixture that once it came out and he knew he was available for it, it will have stoked him up and got him even more ready. You could argue that it is a really good game for him to come back to.”
Though Suarez will be mindful of the reception awaiting him from United fans, many Liverpool supporters are also furious with him for trying to engineer a £40million transfer to Arsenal this summer.
Rodgers believes the best way for Suarez to win them over is by finding the back of the net. He said: “All you can do now is judge him by his performances. The measure for Luis now is on the field.
“His way to say sorry or make any contribution back to the supporters is to play with his heart 100 per cent, score goals and make this team successful. I am confident that will happen. He can’t play any other way.”
However, having seen Liverpool drop five points in their last two League matches, Rodgers is glad to have Suarez back.
“Now he comes back we are getting a £50-60million striker back in the team and that is exciting for us,” he said.
In Suarez’s absence, Liverpool have won seven, drawn two and lost once — last Saturday against Southampton — with Daniel Sturridge scoring 11 in nine games.
