Former Liverpool winger Stewart Downing has opened up on what it was like to train and play with Luis Suarez, claiming the prolific forward was like 'two different characters' on and off the pitch.
Suarez's three-and-a-half year spell at Anfield was never short of controversy, having been involved in racism and biting incidents during his time at the club.
Renowned for his desire to win at all costs, the on-field actions of Uruguayan caused Liverpool problems and led to divided opinions of the striker being formed.
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Downing arrived at Liverpool in the summer of 2011, six months after Suarez joined from Ajax, and was quick to notice that the 34-year-old became a different person the moment he stepped out onto the pitch.
"As soon as I saw him in training, I knew he was going to be a good player," he told the Under The Cosh podcast.
"You can't nutmeg someone ten times in training and be lucky. He had his troubles in his first 18 months but he was a good lad and was quiet off the pitch.
"He was a family lad, didn't go out, stayed at home with his wife and kids, but he was two different characters [on and off the pitch].
"Early on, he was fighting everyone. I think he had an argument with Jordan [Henderson], him and Agger used to kick each other every day - I think he just wanted to win."
One particular moment involving Suarez Downing recalls is the tension that was created as a result of the pre-match handshake with Patrice Evra that never was.
The world was watching to see whether or not the Liverpool No.7 would shake the hand of Evra in February 2012, in what was their first meeting following Suarez's eight-game ban for racism.
His decision to pull his hand away only added to the atmosphere inside Old Trafford and things soon got out of hand after Suarez kicked the ball at the United dugout in anger on the stoke of half-time.
"Obviously we go in the tunnel and it kicks off," explained Downing.
"I don’t know if it was sort of planned because when we got there I think Vidic, [who] wasn’t in the team, was already in the tunnel.
“If you’ve been to Old Trafford it’s a big tunnel and then goes into a little tiny bit and then it was just kicking off.
“You see [Wayne] Rooney running down. Rooney was at the back and I was thinking, ‘I’m definitely at the back here.’
“Rooney was going in the back and he was like, ‘look what’s going on.’ I was sort of [thinking] keep him out the way because he might throw one. I think he was trying to break it up.
"Obviously Rio and [Nemanja] Vidic made a scene of it and then big Pepe [Reina] got involved.
“I’m sure Rio clocked Dirk Kuyt on the cheek," added the retired winger.
"It was one of those when he wasn’t looking, he’s clocked him and he was like, ‘I’m going to kill him.’ Dirk lost his head.”
"Suarez then goes out in the second-half and scored. He sort of played on the edge, and it didn't affect him."
