Dalglish stirs up Suarez debate again

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish hailed the return of Luis Suarez after an eight-game ban and once again insisted that he should not have been suspended in the first place.

Suarez, hit with the punishment after a Football Association board found him guilty of making a racist comment to Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, was given a rapturous reception from Liverpool fans when he came on as a 66th-minute substitute against Tottenham at Anfield late Monday.

But the controversial Uruguay striker’s first taste of action since December 26 ended in frustration as Liverpool were held to a goalless draw and the former Ajax player was booked for accidentally kicking Tottenham’s Scott Parker in the stomach.

Suarez can expect a hostile reception when Liverpool visit Manchester United on Saturday in the Premier League – particularly after Dalglish’s latest comments.

“I’m delighted that the wee man is back. He should never have been away but we’ve taken the punishment and we’ve moved on,” said the Liverpool manager after his side’s eighth home draw this season.

“It would have been unfair to start him, he’s not played since Boxing Day,” added the Scot, who was heavily criticised for his de-fence of Suarez even after he was found guilty.

Suarez caught midfielder Parker while trying to volley the ball in the penalty area.

The incident brought Suarez a yellow card but one high-profile observer felt he was lucky to stay on the pitch.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney used his Twitter account to say: “If ref sees that kick from Suarez and books him... it should be red.”