Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has revealed that he knew that Luis Suarez was going to be something different for the Reds when the Uruguayan striker kicked him in training – and he kicked him back!

Suarez, whose three-and-a-half year Anfield career ended in disgrace when he was sold after biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the last World Cup finals in Brazil, was a hugely-divisive figure during his time on Merseyside but became a Kop Idol as his on-field brilliance took Liverpool to the brink of their first Premier League title.

Now 31, the Barcelona star is at his third World Cup finals and is aiming to get past Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in Saturday's second round tie.

Speaking in his Daily Telegraph column , Bootle-born Carragher admits he admired the South American's 'street fighting' mentality.

He says: “He kicked me in a training session at Melwood. 'This fella is a bit different,' I thought. I loved it. Then I kicked him back!

“His skill was obvious – Suarez is the best Liverpool signing I played with – but the most instantly reassuring quality was how he approached every game the same, whether behind closed doors or in front of 45,000 at Anfield.

“Not all players do this. They hold back until matchday.”

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(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Carragher, who once tried to play on with a collapsed lung and broken rib in a 2-0 win at Sunderland in 2007 before eventually being forced off, believes that Suarez was made of similar stuff and would hate to miss any session.

He said: “If the first team did not train as usual, he would join the reserves rather than head to the gym or for physiotherapy.

“Not once while we were playing, or even in year after my departure, did I ever see or hear of Suarez missing a session or game due to slight injury.

“He would need a broken bone to miss anything, and even then would probably argue with the doctor about his fitness.”

(Image: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images)

After Suarez's unsavoury antics at the previous finals, Carragher is now hoping that his former team-mate is able to redeem himself at the current tournament in Russia.

He said: “At international level, Suarez has elevated Uruguay to the point where they are genuine contenders for this World Cup, and he may yet emerge in the knockout stages to challenge for the Golden Boot.

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“When we talk about Suarez, we are undoubtedly discussing one of the greatest modern players.”



