Former Premier League referee Graham Poll and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believe Liverpool star Luiz Suarez should have been sent off during the 0-0 draw at Anfield on Monday night.

The Uruguayan made his long awaited comeback for Kenny Dalglish's side following his well-documented suspension for the alleged racist abuse of Patrice Evra. Suarez appeared as a second half substitute during the drab goalless draw against Tottenham, but Poll and Rooney believe the striker should have been sent off.

The Liverpool talisman appeared to crudely kick-out at Scott Parker and although Michael Oliver, who in the main officiated the game superbly, handed Suarez a yellow card and therefore there will be no retrospective punishment, Poll believes the Anfield hero was fortunate.   

"Luis Suarez came back from his nine-game suspension - and should have been facing another three matches on the sidelines after kicking Scott Parker at Anfield on Monday night." The former Premier League referee told the Daily Mail.

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"Watch Suarez's actions. First he gave Parker a little nudge, so knew where he was, and then he raised his foot and kicked him. It was serious foul play.

"Intent is irrelevant, it is your actions that matter. As Wayne Rooney correctly tweeted, Suarez should have been sent off.  The FA cannot act retrospectively as Suarez was shown a yellow card.

"It was the only blemish on a superb and pleasingly mature performance from Michael Oliver as he stepped up to his first really high-profile Premier League game."

In addition to the aforementioned former Premier League referee, Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney also claimed Suarez was fortunate to remain on the pitch.

Tweeting to his 2,846,610 followers during the Liverpool match against Tottenham, Rooney said: "If ref sees that kick from suarez and books him for it it should be red [sic]."

Although Suarez's return for Liverpool, aside for the previously mentioned incident, was relatively low key, the former Ajax star's next match is likely to be anything but a quiet affair.

Liverpool travel to arch rivals Manchester United on Saturday for the early afternoon kick-off, and rather than endeavour to quell the already intense rivalry, Dalglish has reiterated his support for the iconic number seven, by suggesting he should never have been suspended in the first place.

"We don't think he should ever have been away but we are delighted to get him back," The Liverpool manager said according to the Daily Mail. 

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