Friday, 15th August, 2014
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers feels that Luis Suarez must concentrate on training and getting back to match fitness at Barcelona.
Suarez’s four-month FIFA ban was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport yesterday, but he was allowed to train with Barcelona and play in friendly fixtures for the Catalans.
The Uruguayan, who swapped Liverpool for Barcelona this summer, was banned by FIFA for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup.
“Now it's [the process is] probably complete”, the Northern Irishman said in a press conference, when asked about how Suarez will cope being out for four months.
Rodgers said that Suarez must focus on training with his new team-mates to get back in shape and is sure Barcelona will be lining up friendly matches for their £75m signing.
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“He knows where he is at and he can train with the team, which is important for him and they'll no doubt look to get some games in for him.
“He'll hope it [the end of the ban] comes round quickly.”
If he remains fit, Suarez could well make his debut for Barcelona against Real Madrid on 26th October in La Liga's first El Clasico of the season.
“I saw somewhere that his first competitive game is Real Madrid, so I am sure he’ll look forward to that", Rodgers added.
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