The defender believes it is only a matter of time before the 26-year-old hits top form at the Confederations Cup and has hailed his ability to change a game
By Kris Voakes in the Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
Alvaro Pereira has heaped praise on Luis Suarez following the Uruguay striker’s positive start to the Confederations Cup.
The Liverpool forward scored a free kick in the Celeste‘s 2-1 defeat to Spain before giving a lively performance in their victory over Nigeria on Thursday and the full-back says the 26-year-old can only get better.
“It was an important victory. Having lost the the first game we had to respond,” Pereira told Goal.
“[Suarez and Forlan] are very important players. They do things in these moments that are game-changing. We have done what we had to do to win though.
“In Uruguay, all of the boys are small in terms of stature and [Suarez] is the No.1 player in the country. There are not many players like him.
“He’s really pulling through for us now and we just hope he has a great Confederations Cup.”
Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, meanwhile, emphasised the importance of the three points gained from Uruguay’s win against the Super Eagles.
“The three points were the most important thing. That’s what we talked about before the game, that we just had to win however we did it, with good football or not,” the goalkeeper noted.
“We didn’t play a great game, but we are happy because we have taken three important points tonight.
“They are very, very important, because they can do something special, or score a goal.
“Diego [Forlan] had a chance and took it. These are moments that are key, and big players make the difference.”