There may have been disappointment for Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates as Uruguay were eliminated from the Olympics following their 1-0 defeat to Great Britain on Wednesday night, but it does mean good news for Liverpool.
Uruguay were one of the favourites to win the Olympic tournament but their shock early exit means star man Suarez will be available for the return leg of next week’s Europa League qualifier – and the Premier League opener at West Brom on 18th August.
The Olympic quarter finals take place this Saturday then semi-finals next Tuesday, with the return leg against FC Gomel next Thursday.
Liverpool are short up front following the departures of Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez, and with Andy Carroll and Craig Bellamy looking like adding to the departure list.
Suarez could line-up alongside new signing Fabio Borini for the return leg next week and the friendly against Leverkusen on August 12th.
Suarez, who was booed throughout the game said after the defeat on Wednesday;
“I think they jeer me and they boo me because they must be scared of facing a player like me. They fear me, but that doesn’t affect me. I’m just hurt because we lost and we are going home. I can take the abuse … but I think it was a total lack of respect from the crowd to boo when we were trying to sing our national anthem. I think those things should not happen.”
Liverpool face FC Gomel in the Europa League third round qualifier first leg in Belarus at 7pm on Thursday.
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