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Suarez flops in return as Spurs force draw

Comment: 0 February 7th, 2012 by: admin

LUIS Suarez is back for Liverpool but that’s all, as he fell short of making any good impression during their Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.

The Uruguayan striker returned from a nine-match ban but failed to provide any spark as the Reds settled to a cautious 0-0 standoff with the Spurs at Anfield.

Suarez came on as a substitute in the 66^th minute but the Spurs made sure he would be useless for the hosts by putting up a stingy defence anchored on the heads-up plays of Michael Dawson, Ledley King and Scott Parker.

The Spurs were also unfazed by the absence of their manager Harry Redknapp who missed the match because of a technical problem that prevented his plane from taking off at London City Airport.

Redknapp had hoped to catch the game after the end of the day’s court proceedings in his tax evasion trial. His assistant, Kevin Bond, took charge against the Reds.

Suarez was greeted with a warm ovation by the Kop when he strode onto the pitch but he failed to make a grand comeback. Instead, he was booked for planting a boot on the midriff of Parker and then missing a header from six yards in his only real chance.

The ban on Suarez totalled nine games – eight for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra last October and one for giving Fulham fans the middle finger last December.

Redknapp’s absence was lamented by Parker, who said his presence gives them extra energy. “We have missed him these last two weeks and we will be delighted when he gets back.”

The draw enabled the Spurs to leave the Reds’ territory with a point after failing to score in the league for the first time after 23 matches.

Redknapp’s men now have 50 points, seven off leaders Manchester City five behind holders Manchester United. The Spurs also stayed seven points away from fourth-running Chelsea who drew their last fixture with United 3-3 on Sunday.

The Reds are still unbeaten in the league at their home but have so far drawn eight of their 12 games as hosts. They stayed seventh with 39 points, one better than Arsenal.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said he’s still happy with their performance even though they failed to please the home fans.

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