Kenny Dalglish has risked infuriating Manchester United ahead of Luis Suarez’s appearance at Old Trafford by again claiming the Liverpool striker should never have been banned for comments made to Patrice Evra in October.
The Reds were condemned for their initial reaction to the eight-match ban Suarez received for making racist comments to Evra during a Premier League draw at Anfield.
It appeared both sides had opted to calm the situation during the build-up to last month’s FA Cup fourth-round tie.
However, the uneasy truce was broken by Dalglish after Suarez reappeared as a substitute during Monday night’s 0-0 draw with Tottenham at Anfield.
“We don’t think he should ever have been away but we are delighted to get him back,” said the Liverpool boss.
“He has not played since December, so it was a wee bit unfair to throw him straight in.
“He has had half an hour and that will have done him the world of good. It is better than anything we could have done at Melwood.”
If Dalglish’s comments have raised more than an eyebrow, they followed an equally inflammatory tweet from Wayne Rooney following a challenge by Suarez on Scott Parker that resulted in a yellow card and left the England midfielder doubled up in pain.
“If the referee sees that kick from Suarez and books him for it, it should be red,” proclaimed Rooney.
The view was endorsed by former United team-mate Gary Neville in his role as Sky TV pundit.
Dalglish opted not to get involved in that argument.
“He just never saw him,” said the Scot.
Then, when informed of what had been said he replied: “Who said that? Why don’t you tweet Wayne back and give him your answer.
“I don’t have a view on what they have tweeted, especially when I have not seen it. If Neville or Wayne were standing there and asked me the question, I could answer them.
“I don’t think you can speak for either Gary or Wayne so unless they want to ask me the question, I will just plead the fifth amendment.”
Dalglish did admit Liverpool’s attack will benefit from Suarez’s presence, although the forward is certain to receive a hostile reception from the United supporters on Saturday lunchtime.
He came nearest to breaking the deadlock for Liverpool on Monday night but Brad Friedel kept out a header from Steven Gerrard’s free-kick, condemning Liverpool to their eighth home draw in the league this season.
“We are disappointed to come away with just the one point,” said Dalglish.
“But you couldn’t criticise the players for their effort or the quality in their performance.
“Like everything else, if you just get a kind bounce somewhere near the goal mouth, we might have walked away with the three points.”
The result, whilst not doing much for Tottenham’s hopes of winning the Premier League, is another nudge forward in their quest to secure an automatic place in next season’s Champions League.
It would have been some kind of consolation for Harry Redknapp, who failed to get to the game after a plane due to take him north from London City airport was grounded because of a technical problem.
“Harry would normally give the team talk and he was unable to do that,” said assistant boss Kevin Bond.
“He couldn’t get here. But we knew the side and the way we were going to play. It was just a different voice giving the instructions to the players.
“But he is our leader and we wanted him here as much as he wanted to be here.
“It is horrible. We had a similar situation the month before last when we played Fulham and he was unable to be at the game.
“Speaking to him afterwards, it was a nightmare for him sat at home, kicking every ball when you can’t affect anything.
“I know he would have been feeling that way tonight.
“But all’s well that end’s well. We are pleased with the point.”