The Oldham boss came up against the Liverpool star in a pre-season friendly four years ago, and has warned his side about the “sharp and horrible” striker

Oldham manager Lee Johnson says Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is like a “dirty street rat” – in the nicest possible way.

Johnson played against the Uruguayan, then at Ajax, in a pre-season friendly for Bristol City in 2009 and knows exactly what his side should expect in the FA Cup clash at Anfield on Sunday.

“He’s like a dirty street rat, and I mean that in the best possible way,” he told reporters.

“He’s sharp and horrible – all that is in admiration for him, because he’s a winner. He has that desire to be better today than he was yesterday.

“I played against Suarez for Bristol City and I failed miserably – he scored. I remember asking, ‘Who was that lad up front?’ He wasn’t well known then. I was like, ‘Who on Earth is that?’

“I was meant to stop the ball up to him but you just can’t. Sometimes players are just too good.

“Having a world-class player like him play against Oldham is the equivalent of me playing in a fans’ game. Someone can say, ‘Mark him,’ but if I move one way, I’ve got a yard.”

Liverpool will have a score to settle against Oldham in the FA Cup on Sunday after losing to them in the competition last season.

The League One side pulled off a stunning 3-2 victory at Boundary Park to dump Brendan Rodgers’ side out of the FA Cup in the fourth round last January.

Premier League high-flyers Liverpool also faced Oldham in a Lancashire derby the previous season and had no such trouble at Anfield as they coasted to a 5-1 victory.

The two sides will meet for a third consecutive season in the famous competition this weekend and it would be a major surprise if Liverpool were unable to progress to the fourth round on home soil.

Rodgers’ charges have made Anfield a fortress this season, winning nine of their 10 Premier League games at home and scoring 27 goals in the process.

Liverpool have won the FA Cup seven times, but last lifted the trophy in 2006 and assistant manager Colin Pascoe is determined to end their wait for more Cup glory.

He told reporters: “The FA Cup is a special trophy. We’ll assess if everyone is fit, and pick a team that will go out to win the game.

“The youngsters have trained well and I’m sure they’ll be ready if they’re called upon, but we’re looking for a good performance.

“For a club like Liverpool, who want to win trophies, the FA Cup is a fantastic trophy. We’ve won it seven times, we want to make it eight.”

Pascoe confirmed that captain Steven Gerrard (hamstring) could return to the starting line-up after make his return from the substitutes’ bench against Hull City on New Year’s Day.

Daniel Sturridge (ankle), Jon Flanagan (hamstring) and Joe Allen (abductor) are expected to be back in training in the next two weeks.

Rodgers is expected to make changes, with the likes of Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto hoping to be given a chance from the start.

Oldham manager Lee Johnson added three new signings to his squad ahead of the match.

Defender Adam Lockwood and midfielders David Worrall and Gary Harkins could make their debuts in the third-round tie.

Oldham are languishing in 19th place in the third tier following a run of six league games without a win.

The winger, who has notched three goals in his last seven outings, was linked with a temporary switch to Swansea City – but Colin Pascoe insists he is “going nowhere”

Liverpool assistant manager Colin Pascoe has laughed off speculation linking Raheem Sterling with a loan move away from the club.

The in-form winger is reported to be a target for Swansea City, with Liverpool said to be closing in on Basel winger Mohamed Salah.

Sterling has impressed in recent weeks after regaining his place in the first team and Pascoe insists he will not be leaving Anfield.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup third-round tie against Oldham Athletic on Sunday, Pascoe said: “We laughed at the rumours linking Raheem Sterling with a loan move away. He’s going nowhere.”

Pascoe revealed that Daniel Sturridge (ankle), Jon Flanagan (hamstring) and Joe Allen (abductor) should return to training in the next two weeks.

Skipper Steven Gerrard came off the bench against Hull City and the skipper is in contention to start against Oldham, but Pascoe stressed the importance of adding to the squad as resurgent Liverpool attempt to make further strides.

He said: “Even though it’s not a big squad, we’ve got a tight squad, they play well together. We should have three or four players return soon.

“We’re looking at players to bring in during the transfer window, but recent injuries doesn’t change anything.

“We’re pleased that Stevie, Daniel Sturridge, Joe Allen are all coming back soon, so we’re thin at the moment, but not for long.

“Our work on transfer targets is always ongoing – not just in January or in the summer. We have targets.”