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ENGLISH football will welcome back Luis Suarez this week when the trouble-prone Liverpool striker returns from a 10-game suspension against Manchester United in the League Cup third round. The Uruguay international was banished to the sidelines by the Football Association after biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in a league game last April, but he served the final game of his ban in Liverpool’s 1-0 loss at home to Southampton on Saturday.
The shock defeat ended Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the season and saw them concede top spot in the Premier League, but goalkeeper Simon Mignolet says that with Suarez back on board, the team will respond in the correct manner at United tomorrow.
“We’ve got another game on Wednesday, when we can put things right straight away. I think it’s a perfect scenario to get back to it,” the Belgian told the Liverpool website.
“Luis Suarez is coming back, which can maybe give us a lift. So we’ve got positives to look forward to.”
Suarez is certain to receive a hostile reception at Old Trafford due to his feud with United left-back Patrice Evra, which saw him banned for eight games for racial abuse in December 2011.
United are also desperate for a positive performance, having been dealt a demoralising 4-1 defeat by Manchester City in Sunday’s derby.
United were without Robin van Persie due to a groin strain, but manager David Moyes suggested the Dutch striker could return to face Liverpool.
Chelsea ended a run of four games without victory by beating Fulham on Saturday and will expect to reach round four in the League Cup with a victory at third-tier Swindon Town today.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has challenged Juan Mata to prove he is worthy of a starting place after the Spanish midfielder was not even included in the match-day squad for the 2-0 win over Martin Jol’s side.
“Tuesday, of course he plays from the beginning against Swindon,” said Mourinho, who won the League Cup twice in his first spell at Chelsea.
“The people who didn’t play (against Fulham) are going to play: Juan and David Luiz and Michael Essien, (Ryan) Bertrand, and (Cesar) Azpilicueta.
North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, level on points at the top of the Premier League, both face ties against top-flight opposition in mid-week.
Spurs visit Aston Villa on Tuesday, with Arsenal travelling to West Bromwich Albion the following night.
In the only other all-Premier League match-ups, Fulham host Everton and Cardiff City visit West Ham United – a repeat of the opening-day league fixture that saw West Ham win 2-0.
Holders Swansea City begin their defence of the trophy at second-tier Birmingham City, while Manchester City face a home game against last season’s FA Cup winners, Wigan Athletic.
Fixtures
Today: Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
Burnley v Nottingham Forest
Fulham v Everton
Hull City v Huddersfield Town
Leicester City v Derby County
Manchester City v Wigan Athletic
Southampton v Bristol City
Sunderland v Peterborough United
Swindon Town v Chelsea
Watford v Norwich City
West Ham United v Cardiff City
Tomorrow: Birmingham City v Swansea City
Manchester United v Liverpool
Newcastle United v Leeds United
Tranmere Rovers v Stoke City
West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal-Supersport.
Online Reporter