Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is 'great ambassador 'says Kenny Dalglish

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish feels striker Luis Suarez is a "great ambassador" for the club.

Suarez has had an eventful start to the season, with his brace in Wednesday night's 2-1 Carling Cup fourth round victory at Stoke taking his tally to seven goals in 12 games for the Reds so far this term.

The Uruguay international has also been in the headlines for other reasons after he was accused of diving by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and racism by their defender Patrice Evra following the Red Devils' 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at Anfield on October 15.

Dalglish last week issued a robust defence of the 24-year-old and rounded on Suarez's critics by suggesting it is their integrity and not the player's which needs questioning.

And speaking today ahead of Liverpool's league trip to West Brom on Saturday, the Scot was keen to emphasise that Suarez's qualities extend beyond his footballing ability, praising the humility he has seen from him.

"He has been fantastic and the great thing about him is that he is very unassuming as well," Dalglish said.

"Everybody can see what he can do on the pitch, but he has got no edge to him. He doesn't think he is better than anyone else.

"He is a great ambassador for the football club. For us, as well as his football, the other things he brings to the club are very important as well.

"He is just a fantastic person as well as a fantastic footballer.

"As I have said before, he has only been here since January and already we are running out of compliments to pay him, which I suppose is a huge compliment in itself."

Suarez has refuted the allegation involving Evra, which the Football Association are looking into.

Since then England captain John Terry has categorically denied racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand in Sunday's Premier League match at Loftus Road, a case which is also being examined by the FA.

Dalglish, who has stressed that Suarez has Liverpool's full backing, does not believe English football has a racism problem and is hoping for a speedy conclusion to the dispute between the Reds frontman and Evra.

"I don't think it is prevalent in the game here, and it certainly isn't at this football club," Dalglish said.

"We have got a case going on ourselves which seems to be dragging its feet.

"We would rather have it done and dusted, out in the open and whoever is the guilty party, whether it's the person who said it or the accuser, (should) get their due punishment.

"We look forward to ours coming to a conclusion.

"For me, I don't see racism, as far as this football club is concerned, apparent in any way, shape or form."

Suarez is an injury doubt for tomorrow's clash with Albion - where Liverpool will be facing their former manager, Dalglish's predecessor Roy Hodgson - after coming off late on in the Stoke match with an ankle problem.

Dalglish made eight changes for the tie at the Britannia Stadium and the likes of Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson are set to return to the first XI.

The England pair have both recently recovered from injuries but Dalglish confirmed he left them out in midweek by choice.

"He (Suarez) has had a bit of treatment," Dalglish said.

"He has had a tough time recently, so we'll see how he is for tomorrow.

"It was just part of the course of sensibility with Steven and Glen on Wednesday.

"There was nothing wrong with them - they could both have played if they had to. It was our choice."

PA