Luis Suarez dedicates Golden Shoe award to former Liverpool team-mates and insists he is ready to start against Real Madrid
- Luis Suarez won the Golden Shoe after 31 goals for Liverpool last season
- Suarez picked former Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish to present award
- Suarez has played twice for Uruguay in friendlies over the past week
- The forward says he feels ready to play for Barcelona when his ban ends
- Barcelona face Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on October 25
- Dalglish joked that Suarez could always return to Liverpool on loan if it doesn't work out for the attacker at the Nou Camp
Liverpool's
anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' played at the Golden Shoe award
ceremony at Barcelona on Wednesday night as Luis Suarez dedicated the
prize to his former team-mates.
'My
three-and-a-half years there were spectacular and I would not have won
this without them,' he said. 'I would also like to thank the man who who
brought me to the club,' he added, looking across at Liverpool legend
Kenny Dalglish, who was in Barcelona to present him with the award.
'From
the first moment I met him with Sofia [Suarez's wife] I took to him,'
said Dalglish. 'He achieved so much last season and it's an honour to be
here - I even cancelled a game of golf to make it.'
VIDEO Scroll down to watch Kenny Dalglish presents Luis Suarez with Golden Foot award
Luis Suarez looks delighted as he receives the Golden Shoe award from Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish
The pair laugh and shake hands as Suarez, now at Barcelona, accepts the award in front of an audience
Suarez is set to make his return to competitive action against Real Madrid on October 25
Dalglish
was asked if he thought Suarez would succeed and he said: 'I don't
think there is anyone who can stop him. He was brilliant at Ajax and
Liverpool and I'm sure he will be success. And if it doesn't work out he
can always come back to Liverpool on loan.'
In
a video message Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said: 'Good luck for
the future mate we wish you well. Thanks for everything you did last
season for us. Barcelona are very lucky to have you.'
It was the Barcelona forward's wish that Gerrard be at the presentation but he was unable to travel.
Suarez
scored 31 goals last season and he said after the presentation that he
was ready to start in the Clasico clash against Real Madrid on October
25 if picked.
'Every
player has to be prepared to play every game - I feel good. Maybe if
you had asked me two weeks ago the answer would not have been the same,
but after the two friendlies with Uruguay I am very happy with the
condition I am in. I feel a lot better than - thought I would.'
Suarez returned to action for Uruguay in a friendly 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in Jiddah on October 10
The former Ajax striker followed that up with a couple of goals in a 3-0 friendly win over Oman on October 13
Suarez and Dalglish were reunited as the former Liverpool manager flew to Spain to present the award
Dalglish signed Suarez for Liverpool in 2011 and he was a success in his time at Anfield
Dalglish
had a close bond with Suarez at Liverpool and staunchly defended his
former charge when he was found guilty of racially abusing Patrice
Evra.
Liverpool's
next home game is against Hull on October 25 but their former star will
hope to be busy that day as Barcelona travel to the Santiago Bernabeu
for the Clasico.
Lionel Messi, Suarez's Barcelona team-mate, has won the Golden Shoe in the last two seasons.
The Uruguyan actually shares the honour this time with Cristiano Ronaldo, who also scored 31 goals last season.
Suarez's
haul enabled him to beat the previous record for one season at
Liverpool, beating Robbie Fowler, who scored 28 goals in 1995-96.
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