Luis Suarez admits he is looking forward to coming up against close friend and former Anfield teammate Philippe Coutinho today when Liverpool take on Barcelona in a mouth-watering clash at Wembley.

The South American duo forged a close relationship during their time together on Merseyside and have remained in contact ever since.

This evening, they’ll have to briefly put that friendship to one side in the International Champions Cup encounter, but it’s an occasion Suarez insists both of them are looking forward to.

The 29-year-old told Liverpoolfc.com: “I played against him when Uruguay played Brazil but I think Philippe with Liverpool is different.

“He is the boss of the team on the pitch because he controls everything. I know he is excited to play against me and Barcelona, too.”

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It’s not just Coutinho whom Suarez has retained a bond with since leaving Liverpool for Barcelona in July 2014 – there are even members of the Melwood kitchen team he’s stayed in touch with, and popped in to catch up with in March during a visit to the Reds’ training complex.

He continued: “I remember the people, the supporters, the managers I had. Kenny Dalglish, Brendan Rodgers, they helped my career a lot.

“I miss friends like Stevie [Gerrard], Philippe, Martin Skrtel, [Jordan] Henderson. And I have friends in the people that work in the kitchen as well, [such as] Carole. They know they helped me a lot there and I miss them.”

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