Former Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli believes Luis Suarez could be driven out of the Premier League if he continues to be the subject of “victimisation” from the British public.

The Uruguayan forward, who joined Liverpool for €26 million in January 2011, has scored 40 goals in 80 appearances for the Reds but has been criticised after a series of controversial incidents – most recently his alleged handball against Mansfield Town in the FA Cup.

And Comolli believes it would be an “absolute shame” if Suarez was driven out of English football due to the treatment he has received from some quarters.

“It’ll be an absolute shame for English football if this victimisation drives him away,” Comolli told BBC Sport.

“As the biggest league in the world you want to keep the biggest players, not drive them away for crazy reasons.”

As well as the incident against Mansfield, the 25-year-old has been accused of diving and stamping, while he also received an eight-match ban last season for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.

But Comolli, who played a major part in bringing Suarez to Anfield, says he is baffled by the striker’s treatment.

“I find it extremely hard to understand why people look at all the bad aspects and not how good the player is,” Comolli continued.

“He is a fantastic individual and professional – totally committed to his club, team-mates and job. He’ll give you everything, he’s a winner.

“People need to be very careful what they say and stop criticising him. He’s someone you’d want to go to war alongside.

“I don’t think you can captain Ajax as a foreigner at 21 years of age if you’re not a great individual.”