Such is the subplot between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra as Manchester United host Liverpool this Saturday that it takes time to refocus on the football matters at hand.

Suarez served an eight-match ban for racially abusing Evra in the previous Premier League encounter between these two north-west rivals in October, and the Liverpool striker is back in the side in time to face the United defender in the return fixture.

The prelude to this already competitive encounter was the 2-1 victory by Kenny Dalglish's side over United in the FA Cup at Anfield last month, where Evra was booed and Suarez was absent.

After completing his suspension, the Uruguayan subsequently made his return to the Liverpool side as they drew 0-0 with Tottenham last Monday.

Now it is time for the final performance of the season between these two teams, and once the baggage surrounding the match is stripped away, there are some signs that Liverpool could put a serious dent in Manchester United's title ambitions, while chasing fourth spot themselves.

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As much as there is a growing sense of excitement about St George's Park finally opening its doors in August, there is also a feeling of what might have been.

Taking a tour around the 330-acre site last week, it looks as if the Football Association will be able to boast one of the leading national football centres in the world, but you also have to wonder what position English football would be in had the facility opened as originally planned in 2004.

How much better would a 25-year-old England regular be, having first trained at St George's Park as a 17-year-old? And what influence would a coach attending courses there have had on a five-year-old now in the throes of junior football?

The FA's director of elite development Gareth Southgate says it is "pretty pointless" to speculate about where we could be. Like a seasoned pro he is focusing on the future, and in the coming months youth football in England is set to undergo some fundamental and exciting changes.

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One of the downsides of being an advocate for hard but fair tackling is that some people automatically assume that your feet are firmly planted in the destroyer's camp and you have no appreciation of the creative aspects of football.

There are more important aspects than winning the ball which players need to learn, such as keeping it in the first place. In fact, speaking to several people, it is not something that is widely coached as a prerogative. But, like Match of the Day pundit Lee Dixon, many supporters value the skill judging by the warm applause that is often heard in grounds up and down the country for a well-timed challenge.

The tackling debate has reached new heights recently because, while most would agree that dangerous tackles have no place in the game, the lines have been blurred as to what constitutes a fair one. While that grey area exists, there are legitimate concerns about whether tackling might be eradicated altogether.

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