Luis Suarez said he was happy to finally be back playing for Liverpool again as Brendan Rodgers sang the striker's praises following the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Capital One Cup third round.
Suarez was his usual busy self and was a little unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, testing the Manchester United goal on a few of occasions and also hitting the crossbar with a freekick.
The Uruguayan, who looked to manufacture a move to Arsenal in the summer, was not happy to get the desired result on his return from a ten-match suspension, but was quite satisfied with both his and the team's performance.
"The result is not good because we lost but the feeling is good because we played very well, we created chances and we missed," he told Liverpool's official website.
"I know it was a difficult moment but for myself and for the team it's very important I'm back because I can help the team and [being] off the pitch I can't. We'll keep going for the week and for the next game.
"All the time I try my best on the pitch. I'm here to help the team and help Liverpool and I'll try my best."
Manager Rodgers was also quite pleased with Suarez's comeback and hopes the forward will help Liverpool push on in the English Premier League.
"I thought he was excellent," Rodgers said. "When you consider he's been out for such a long time, he ran himself into the ground and he was always a threat. He put defenders on the back foot and had a couple of twists and turns that looked like he was going to get in.
"As he goes on, he'll get a wee bit sharper. Overall, he can be really pleased. I was really happy for him because his contribution was brilliant.
"He's worked very hard and tired a wee bit towards the end, but the only way he is going to get that (full match fitness) is by playing in the games.
"He's a player that even in the last moments of a game, he can still create moments, distract defenders and provoke the space to open up.
"It's also what we have as well. The team had a good flow in the second half, we were getting numbers forward and we just couldn't find that final touch or pass that could get a goal."
Liverpool have now lost two games on the bounce after making a strong start to the season, but Rodgers is not wavering on his belief in his players, while adding that the club would look to strengthen in the January transfer window.
"The players have made an excellent start," he added. "We were disappointed at the weekend, we were a bit flat and subdued, and just couldn't really get going. Part of that was because of the players we have available, but I know that the players I have give absolutely everything.
"Now we can only concentrate on the league through to Christmas. We have to make sure we stay up in the top six in the league and keep fighting. Hopefully we can reinforce again in January."
