Luis Suarez prepares for Madrid revenge after they dismantled Liverpool

Luis Suarez's old team were comfortably put to bed by Real Madrid on Wednesday night, but he has the chance to avenge Liverpool's defeat when he makes his Barcelona debut in the Clasico on Saturday.

Barça boss Luis Enrique hasn't confirmed whether Suarez will start at the Bernabeu, although he did reveal he will at very least play some part.

At Anfield on Wednesday night, as it has been in the Premier League this season, it was evident just how much Brendan Rodgers' side were missing their former talisman.

And with his ban up and his return now hours away, we spoke to the Liverpool Echo's Joe Rimmer about just how good Suarez is.

Can he make an instant impact against Real Madrid?

 

Obviously his departure was a massive blow, but did you imagine you'd look like such a different side without him?

I don't think many Liverpool fans thought things would be this difficult, but I can't say I'm surprised. Liverpool were always going to miss Suarez, and not just for his goals. He's a constant menace to the opposition with his tireless running and movement, meaning the likes of Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson could make late runs into space opened up by Suarez.

With him gone, and Daniel Sturridge also injured, things have been very difficult. Mario Balotelli simply doesn't offer the movement, work-rate or infectious enthusiasm that Suarez did.

I think as well, just as much as anything he brings to a side, the Uruguayan's departure has hurt the crowd. He was simply the most talented player many have seen play for the club, and his ability to do unbelievable things was something that picked the club up and spearheaded the title charge last season.

That has gone and that feeling of being on a rollercoaster ride has gone with it.

It's now up to Brendan Rodgers to pick the team up and re-mould it into an attacking unit - he's ultimately struggled to do that so far.

 

Does it therefore feel like he was even more important than you perhaps thought?

I think the fans knew how important he was. After all, this was a man who scored 31 goals and made 13 assists last year. He turned in one of the greatest Premier League seasons any player has ever managed.

Nobody underestimated his importance.

It's just always difficult, as a fan of any club, to see the difference when they are gone.

 

Steven Gerrard says he's the best he's played with at Liverpool - have you seen anyone any better in your time as a fan? Gerrard himself, Torres in his prime...

This is always a difficult question. I'm not old enough to have seen Kenny Dalglish or John Barnes in his prime. Fernando Torres was brilliant for a season or two but Suarez certainly had more talent than the Spaniard - plus he didn't sulk like Torres when things didn't go his way.

Personally, Gerrard is the greatest I've seen. That's down to the stature of the man and the big goals he scored in big games. Gerrard was the man for the big occasion.

But as far as talent goes I haven't seen anyone better than Suarez. He could simply do anything with a football and some of the goals he scored last year were magnificent.

Plus, I love a player that works that hard. Balotelli should take note; Suarez would simply run his heart out for the team.

So Gerrard shades it, but he's given us his life. How we all wish Suarez did too.

 

Finally, having seen Real Madrid up close, do you expect Suarez to be able to do some damage in the Clasico?

Certainly. I firmly believe Suarez will be the world's number one player fairly soon - and there's nothing he can't do.

The only issue I see him having at Barcelona is in terms of the pecking order. How many free-kicks will he take? How much importance will he have on a team with Lionel Messi and Neymar (who is much more of a brand than a player, in my opinion - Suarez wipes the floor with Neymar)?

We shall see, but Suarez has the strength of character to make his presence felt - and I see no reason why a Suarez who has been waiting months to play competitive football won't make an impact straight away. Just try and stop him.