• Capital One Cup

Toure: Suarez return massive for Reds

ESPN staff
September 23, 2013
Luis Suarez will be available for Liverpool's Capital One Cup clash with Manchester United © Getty Images
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Kolo Toure insists that the return of Luis Suarez from suspension is just what Liverpool need to recover from their first defeat of the season.

Brendan Rodgers' side were knocked off the top of the Premier League table on Saturday following their 1-0 defeat at home to Southampton.

Suarez has now completed a 10-game domestic ban imposed for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a 2-2 draw at Anfield in April.

The Uruguay international's future dominated the British sports headlines throughout the summer as he made clear he wanted to leave Liverpool - who refused a £40,000,001 bid from Arsenal.

Suarez has since reconciled with Rodgers and is eligible to return for Wednesday night's Capital One Cup third-round trip to Manchester United.

"Suarez's return is going to be massive for us," Toure told the Liverpool Echo. "He is a fantastic player - a top striker who can score a goal at any time. He will strengthen the team.

"Daniel Sturridge has been playing so well for us and the two of them will be a very strong partnership."

Suarez has played competitive international football during his ban, helping Uruguay reach the Confederations Cup semi-finals in Brazil in June and continuing to play a key part in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

The 26-year-old scored twice as Peru were beaten 2-1 in a qualifier on September 7, and featured in a 2-0 victory over Colombia foure days later.

In addition, Liverpool have helped him to maintain match fitness by organising behind-closed-doors friendlies.

And Toure reports that the striker - Liverpool's top scorer with 30 goals last season - is looking sharp.

"I'm sure Suarez will be ready to be thrown back in. You saw from his international appearance the other week. In the first game he had played for a while, he scored twice. That just shows how strong this guy is.

"He has been very difficult to defend against in training. He is a winner. He's always working hard and fighting. You want those kind of players."

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