The Spanish attacker feels the new Barcelona signing does not deserve the four-month ban from all footballing activity for his World Cup bite

Sevilla attacker Iago Aspas has slammed Fifa’s treatment of his former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez, claiming the new Barcelona signing has been punished “like a murderer”.

Suarez was not only handed a nine-game international suspension and a hefty fine, but was also banned from taking part in any football related activity for four months prior to his €88 million switch to Camp Nou.

The Uruguay international’s punishment prevented Barcelona from staging an official unveiling of the player and Aspas feels Fifa is treating Suarez like a criminal rather than a footballer.

“They are treating Luis like a murderer and not like a footballer,” Aspas told Cadena Cope.

“I understand his nine-game international ban because of the incidents that took place in the past.

“But the rest of the sanction, which doesn’t allow Barcelona to present him to the media and fans, is too much in my opinion.”

The 27-year-old Suarez will not be allowed to make his Barcelona debut until October 26, when his ban comes to an end.

The Reds manager has already acquired four new players this summer after the sale of Luis Suarez and thinks that fans should be very excited by the €57 million pair

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says that fans should be very excited about signing the likes of Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic.

The Reds have already recruited four players this summer – with Dejan Lovren and Loic Remy expected to join their ranks soon – as they compensate for the loss of Luis Suarez and the return of Champions League football to Anfield.

Serbia international winger Markovic joined Liverpool in a big-money deal from Portuguese champions Benfica and Rodgers is expecting big things from the 20-year-old.

“Young Markovic is a really exciting talent,” he told reporters ahead of Liverpool’s opening International Champions Cup match against Roma on Wednesday. “He’s the kind of player I like, who can beat people in one versus one [situations].

“He’s good in the duel but he also works hard so he doesn’t just run forward quickly, he runs back even quicker, which is important.

“That’s the key for us. We’ve got hungry players – players who want to do their best for Liverpool, are technically and tactically gifted but have the personality to work. I’m excited by them all.”

Liverpool also splashed the cash on Southampton captain Lallana, forking out a fee around £25 million for the England international midfielder and Rodgers believes that he has not only the ability but the character to succeed at Anfield.

“Adam Lallana, as you’d expect, is a wonderful talent and we’ve seen that over the last couple of years in the Premier League,” he explained.

“I’ve watched him since he was a young player and I’ve seen his progression. In this very short period of time of working with him, I’ve realised what a good man he is. We do our homework on the players, on their character, before they come in. He’s a great human being, he’s here because he’s hungry and wants to fight for Liverpool.

“He’s left a great club in Southampton where he had the honour of captaining them but now he’s come to one of the biggest clubs in the world. From what I’ve seen from him so far in training, he’s been absolutely fantastic; hungry, technically good and tactically very, very good.”

The 34-year-old, who has called time on his international career, insists the current manager was the correct appointment as they look to recover from a disastrous World Cup

Steven Gerrard is confident Roy Hodgson is the right man to take England forward following the former captain’s retirement from international duty.

The 34-year-old called time on his Three Lions career on Monday but leaves England following a disastrous World Cup which leaves them 20th in the Fifa Ranking – their worst position since 1996.

Hodgson will remain in charge despite a group-stage exit in Brazil and, while Gerrard admits the opinion on England is “very negative”, he is confident the former Fulham boss was the correct appointment.

“I’m sure Roy will get the job right. I know things will turn around for the better,” he told reporters. “I know the players are upset and everyone has an opinion on England at the moment – it’s very negative.

“But I’m sure Roy will help making the England supporters proud again and change the way people are looking at this England team.

“He’s a fantastic manager and I’m glad the FA have stuck with him. He’s the man who fulfilled my childhood dream, made me England captain, and I’ll always thank him for that.”

Gerrard does not expect his ties with England to end after 114 caps for his county and left the door open for future involvement behind the scenes as he begins considering his options for when he hangs up his boots entirely.

“I’ve started the C Licence on the coaching side of it,” he said.

“I don’t know if I want to be a coach, I don’t know if I want to be a manager 100 per cent, but what I’m going to do when I hang my boots up completely is something I’m thinking about a lot.

“My relationship with the FA will continue moving forward and I’m sure over the next 20, 30, 40 years, I will work for England again.”