FORMER Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has paid Luis Suarez the ultimate tribute – by comparing him to Kenny Dalglish.

The Reds striker has proved to be a big hit since he was signed by Dalglish from Ajax for £22.8million in January.

Suarez is currently lighting up the Copa America in Argentina and fired Uruguay into Sunday’s final with a clinical double against Peru.

Lawrenson says the 24-year-old possesses many of the qualities which his legendary former Anfield team-mate and manager boasted.

“Lots of people have arrived at Liverpool and people have said they remind me of Dalglish and they never were because he was so special, but Suarez might just be the closest,” he said.

“He’s got all the ability in the world and a real mean streak. He is a top player. I think he might be a bit like Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.

“He could just take off and in a couple of years’ time you might be talking about a £60million player.

“Kenny’s eyes light up when he talks about him. He’s got that little bit of everything and when you see goals like he scored at Sunderland last season you ask yourself ‘how’s he done that?’, which was another trait Dalglish had.

“He’s got great ability. He is very aware of everything, a real team player, a handful to play against and like all South Americans can really look after himself. Players like Diego Maradona and Carlos Tevez found themselves getting booted on a regular basis but were tough and could give it back. Suarez is the same.”

Suarez was snapped up by Liverpool in January just before Fernando Torres was sold to Chelsea for £50million after demanding a move.

While Suarez blossomed at Anfield, Torres struggled miserably in the capital and Lawrenson views the fee Liverpool got for the Spaniard as “the sale of the century”.

“I just feel there is something about Torres in his body language and his make up,” he added.

“He has always been the main man at the clubs he’s been at and I look at him and he’s not the same player. I do feel the sale of Torres may turn out to be the sale of the century.

“The sale has allowed Liverpool to replace him and rebuild and the American owners have brought more players in as a statement of intent that the club is heading in the right direction again.

“When the fax came through to say Torres had gone and it was £50m, I would be surprised if Liverpool didn’t have a party.”

Andy Carroll arrived along with Suarez in January, while this summer has already seen Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Alexander Doni snapped up.

Lawrenson believes his old club are well placed to challenge for Champions League qualification this season.

“I think they have got a chance of the top four because of the players they have signed,” he said. “I’m not sure about Arsenal with all the uncertainty over Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas. They still haven’t addressed the problems people have been telling them to address for years, such as in central defence.

“I think the top three might be beyond Liverpool, but I certainly think what they’ve done so far this summer can put them in contention for the Champions League places again.”