Aston Villa 0 Liverpool 2: Dalglish impressed by Suarez’s performance after training lull

Suarez’s build-up to the game was overshadowed by the Football Association hearing into allegations he racially abused Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

However, the Uruguayan striker showed no ill-effects and was in excellent form against Villa, the woodwork twice denying him a goal.

Dalglish said: “Suarez has been sat in a hotel room for three days. He only trained on Tuesday and Friday.

“Then he put in a performance like that. It speaks volumes for the man.”

As regards the FA hearing, Dalglish said: “We can’t comment on that. It’s not my choice. We’d love to comment.

“I’m afraid we wouldn’t like to prejudice anything. We’ve been respectful all the way through and I don’t think at this stage we’d want to be accused of losing that respect.”

Dalglish also shrugged off the verbal abuse aimed by Villa fans towards winger Stewart Downing after his £20m summer move to Anfield.

The Scot said: “You must lead a sheltered life if you think that (reception) was tough.

“It’s sad. It would have been better giving their support to their own players because it wasn’t going to upset Stuart.

“He was excellent, so obviously it worked.”

Dalglish added: “We did have a lot of chances in the game. We’re there to try and create them.

“Obviously one day we’re going to finish them off. One day we’re going to do it.”

Villa manager Alex McLeish admitted his side missed the strike combination of the suspended Gabriel Agbonlahor and Darren Bent. The latter injured his thigh in training on Tuesday.

McLeish said: “Without doubt we lacked that cutting edge, losing two of our top players.

“It’s the same as any top team. It would be the same with Liverpool if they lost Luis Suarez.

“It’s difficult. We have youngsters, we are going through a transitional phase, trying to stabilise things a little bit.

“That (no Bent or Agbonlahor) made it tougher for us, but it’s always a challenge.

“Sometimes the determination and the will can overcome the skill, which Liverpool had in abundance.

“But in the end, Liverpool had too much nous and experience and players who can make a difference.”