Toure supports Suarez

18 August 2013 17:17

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure joked striker Luis Suarez could "do anything" and the players would welcome him back with open arms.

The Uruguay international, suspended for Saturday's 1-0 home win over Stoke, returned to training with the rest of the first team on Friday having been exiled by manager Brendan Rodgers.

Suarez's attitude and commitment was questioned by the Reds boss after the 26-year-old publicly criticised the club, claiming they had reneged on a deal to allow him to join a Champions League club if they bid £40million.

Arsenal made two attempts to trigger his release, including a now infamous offer of £40million plus £1, but Rodgers and principal owner John Henry have unequivocally stated he will not be sold.

Suarez's re-integration to the squad has been made much easier by the attitude of his team-mates, although Toure said that did not mean they condoned his previous behaviour.

"I think Suarez was defending himself and the club were defending what they wanted as well because they know by keeping him we are going to be really strong because he is one of the best strikers in the world," said the centre-back, who made his competitive debut at Anfield after a free transfer move from Manchester City.

"For us it is really important to keep him. What the club did, for me, is right because we want to keep him.

"You would never want one of your best players going to another team.

"We want him to stay because this is a big club.

"It is nothing, for us we know football. It is big business.

Source: PA