• Premier League

Suarez given five days to prove Liverpool fitness

ESPN staff
August 5, 2011
Luis Suarez starred in the Copa America © PA Photos
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Luis Suarez will have five days to prove to Kenny Dalglish he is ready for Liverpool's opening game of the Premier League season.

Widespread reports are claiming Suarez will miss the Reds' curtain-raiser against Sunderland at Anfield following a long Copa America campaign that saw the Uruguayan score in the final and pick up the Player of the Tournament award.

Liverpool would be keen to have the former Ajax man available against the Black Cats, whom Suarez tormented at the Stadium of Light last season. The diminutive frontman scored from a seemingly impossible angle and forced John Mensah into a professional foul that resulted in a red card.

Dalglish, contrary to reports, appears willing to give his prized asset as much time as possible to prove his sharpness before the big season kick-off, and Suarez will return to training on Monday before being assessed by both the Liverpool manager and the club's medical staff.

"Luis will be back next week and we will start thinking about him then," Dalglish was quoted as saying in multiple Friday newspapers. "He's had a fantastic summer as an individual and as a team player.

"We'll see how he is when he comes in. We can't predict how he is going to be like. But he should be pretty happy with himself and pretty confident looking forward to the start of the season."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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