Luis Suarez Fires Ruthless Barcelona Warning

GIDEON BROOKS

 

Luis Suarez insists he will show no mercy if he gets the chance to dump former club, Liverpool, out of the Champions League.

But he believes that whatever fate awaits the Reds against his Barcelona, the glory days are definitely returning to Anfield.

Suarez, 31, spent four years on Merseyside and admits the club will always have a place reserved in his heart.

But ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg showdown at the Nou Camp on Wednesday Suarez said if he gets the chance to pile on the misery he will not hesitate.

“Liverpool will always be important for me – for giving me an opportunity, for playing a big part in my development, and of course for the amazing fans,” Suarez said.

“But this is a Champions League semi-final and all that will matter is helping Barcelona fight to get one step closer to another trophy.”

The Uruguay international played four seasons at Anfield between 2010-14 wearing the fabled No 7 shirt, scoring 69 goals in 110 appearances before leaving for Catalonia. In his final season in a Red jersey, Suarez came agonisingly close to landing the Premier League in his final season under Brendan Rodgers, losing out to Manchester City.

In the penultimate game the sight of the striker sobbing under his shirt as Crystal Palace’s stunning comeback from 3-0 down shattered Liverpool’s hopes become one of the most memorable images of the campaign.

Suarez says he is keeping his fingers crossed Jurgen Klopp’s current outfit can put things right and edge their gripping battle with City for this season’s crown.

Yet whatever happens over the course of the final two games, the striker feels it is only a matter of time before Liverpool regain their place at the summit of English football.

“Liverpool are now in a position where their future looks very bright again. The race is so tight in England this season it is impossible to say out of Liverpool and Manchester City who will be champions,” Suarez said.

“But Liverpool are now in a position where they will be challenging in the future.

“When we nearly won the title there was so much disappointment because I think there was a feeling that was our moment and we wouldn’t get another.

“But now Liverpool have the squad, the investment, the set up where this will not be a one off season.”

Barcelona go into the Champions League semi-final on a high having wrapped up a fourth La Liga title in the last five years with victory over Levante at the weekend.

And the Catalan giants are still in a with a shout of a domestic and European treble with their dates with Liverpool standing in the way of a first Champions League final since 2015 and with Valencia their opponents in the Copa Del Rey Final on May 25.

Suarez has made a significant contribution to that success, firing in 21 goals in the league and three in the domestic cup, he has so far failed to score in the Champions League this season.