Liverpool vs Barcelona: Luis Suarez vows not to celebrate if he scores in Champions League semi-final

After scoring and celebrating in Barcelona’s 3-0 first-leg victory, Suarez was criticised by fans of his former club

Luis Suarez has vowed not to celebrate on his return to Anfield if he scores against Liverpool after being criticised for his actions in the Champions League semi-final first leg.

The Barcelona striker opened the scoring against his former side at the Nou Camp in the 3-0 victory that leaves Jurgen Klopp’s side facing an almighty task in Tuesday night’s second leg. Having left Liverpool in 2014 to move to Spain, Suarez had no hesitation in celebrating his opener, something that drew criticism from his former fans as well as past Liverpool players.

One of the Uruguayan’s strongest critics proved to be former Liverpool striker John Aldridge, who claimed that the 32-year-old “behaved like a rat” in celebrating against his former side.

But speaking ahead of the Anfield tie, Suarez admitted that he will think twice about celebrating if he finds the back of the net.

“Celebrating the goal last week? People who know about football, who love this sport, know about the importance of this goal,” said Suarez on Monday.

“I have all the respect in the world for the Liverpool fans. I scored and celebrated with my fans.

“I say sorry (if anyone was offended) but the Liverpool fans would applaud me. I am very thankful to Liverpool to the fans and the club and it is clear if I score a goal against Liverpool I won't celebrate it in the same way I didn't celebrate in Holland when I scored (for Ajax against Groningen).

“I am thankful for Liverpool. I think I was here for three and a half years and the team had been four or five years without being in the Champions League. In the last year I was here, we got in the Champions League. I think people know the work I did here. I am thankful to the club.”

Luis Suarez has vowed not to celebrate if he scores against Liverpool at Anfield (AFP/Getty)

The fact that Suarez’s goal was followed by a Lionel Messi double – including the stunning free-kick that looks to have taken the tie out of Liverpool’s reach – meant that his impact was somewhat downplayed as the plaudits went to his South American teammate.

But Suarez could well be the key interest in the second leg due to his three-and-a-half year stay in Merseyside, and he hopes that the fans will remember what he did for the club, which included nearly firing them to the Premier League title in 2013/14.

Suarez did not hesitate in celebrating his goal at the Nou Camp (Getty)

“I think there will be more applause than whistles and I think if people want to whistle and that makes them happy… there may be quite a few who are not happy but I think there will be more who are happy and grateful,” Suarez added.

“I think you see the people in the kitchen are waiting to give me a present for my children so you see the love that is still there and the warmth that is still there for me. I have a son (Benji) who was born here and this was the first stadium he went to.”