Suarez: My conscience is clear

Luis Suarez has spoken of his relief after returning from his eight-game ban after being found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra and insisted that his conscience remains clear.

In an interview with Uruguayan radio station Radio Sport 890, the Liverpool forward suggested Evra should not have gone public about the incident, and admitted he is expecting a torrent of abuse when he face United at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.

Suarez also accepted that he would have to change his behaviour as all eyes will now be on him and he thanked Liverpool fans for their support during his time on the sidelines.

Suarez returned during Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Tottenham on Monday night and quickly made an impact, as he was shown a yellow card after connecting with a high challenge on Scott Parker.

But the frustration of the goalless draw was overshadowed by his return to action.

“It was really hard for me not to be playing for all that time,’’ Suarez admitted. “I wanted to do so many things when I came on against Tottenham and that didn’t help me. Before the game, I decided to forget what had happened. It would have been even more complicated for me if I had thought about he events of the last two months. I wanted to help the team, but I didn’t enjoy the game.

“Fortunately, I’m back on the pitch and that’s the most important thing for me.’’

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish claimed after Monday’s game that Suarez should not have been banned despite the FA’s independent commission finding him guilty.

Suarez seemed to agree with his coach when he said: “My conscience was clear. I was not depressed at all. I knew what I did and there is a kind of football law that says: ‘What happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch’ and that’s the end of the story.’’

Those comments are sure to rile United supporters before Saturday’s encounter, but Suarez went on to say that he is expecting a hostile reception from the home fans and that will only encourage him to try harder.

“I know that against Manchester United, it’s going to be tense because I’m going to face Evra. But I’m used to having fans whistle at me. I hope nothing unusual happens at the match. I will have to forget what happened. I do know the United fans are going to try to make me feel uncomfortable, but I have to tell them — they are going to spur me on if they whistle at me.’’

Suarez is no stranger to controversy: at Ajax, he was banned for seven games for biting PSV opponent Ottman Bakkal on the neck while his injury-time goal-line handball denied Ghana victory over Uruguay in the World Cup quarter-final in 2010.

He has now accepted that he will receive more attention in England, and he is prepared for it.

“I know that people are viewing me differently in England,’’ he continued.

“For example, against Tottenham, when I was doing the warm-up, there were three cameras pointing at me. Even when I was sitting on the bench there were many cameras on me. I feel that people are watching me. I have to understand that — it’s the price I have to pay because of the ban.

“I have to be more careful: I like to protest to the referees but I will have to control myself because all the people are watching me.’’

Suarez also made a point of thanking the Liverpool fans for their support during his time out of the team.

“I have to thank Liverpool fans, because they supported me on the pitch but also on the streets,’’ he said.

“I feel so comfortable at Liverpool because of them. They love me.’’