Kuyt hails hero Suarez for his professionalism

DIRK KUYT praised the “great professionalism” of Luis Suarez after the Uruguay international put personal controversies behind him to be Liverpool’s match-winner again.

The 24-year-old scored his first Premier League goal since October 1 as the Reds beat QPR 1-0 to end a run of four successive Anfield draws dating back two months.

“For all of us it is important to score a goal but especially for Luis, who played really well. It was good to see him scoring again,” said Kuyt.

“He is just focusing on the game and he is happy with all the support he gets from the club, players, manager and his own fans.

“This is the Premier League so they [opponents] are trying to do everything to stop you and the better you are the more they try to stop you — and Luis is a really good player.

“But that is football and he knows that and he is a great professional and is just focusing on his job — that is what he does in training and in the game.”

The goal was Suarez’s fifth in the league — and eighth in all competitions — but with better fortune he could have had many more this season.

Dalglish is naturally disappointed his striker has not scored more but is certainly not concerned.

“I would never judge anyone solely on goals,” said the Scot.

“That is for the simple reason that you wouldn’t judge a goalie on saves because if he is making great saves we have some problems somewhere else.

“Everyone is entitled to score a goal but certainly for anyone who scores a goal they get a tremendous lift so I am sure it will help the wee fella.”

QPR manager Neil Warnock accepted defeat and said he expects central defender Anton Ferdinand to be out with a hamstring injury for a fortnight.

“It will probably be a couple of weeks and it opens the door for Matthew Connolly or Fitz Hall, who would be fit next week,” he said.