Ex-Liverpool star Luis Suarez sends shockwaves through league with stunning hat-trick

Luis Suarez rolled back the years as his hat-trick inspired a 4-3 comeback win for Gremio against Botafogo.

The former Liverpool favourite scored all three goals within 19 minutes to send shockwaves throughout the Brazilian league. Had Botafogo won, they would have extended their lead at the top of the table to six points as the campaign approaches its final stretch.

But Suarez - as he has so often throughout his career - proved the difference to snatch all three points and move Gremio level with the league leaders. Rei de Copas were written off as title contenders until Suarez joined in January.

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Since then, the Uruguayan has made 24 goal contributions to give Gremio a chance with five games remaining. Suarez is proving that he can still cut it at the top level following his hat-trick against Brazilian high-fliers Botafogo.

The pick of the punch was the final goal, which saw the forward, who bagged six hat-tricks at Liverpool, play a deft one-two with Mathias Villasanti before slotting past the goalkeeper. In an emotional interview earlier this year, the striker confirmed he will leave Brazil a year earlier than expected when his contract expires on December 31.

There had been suggestions the 36-year-old would reunite with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at MLS franchise Inter Miami in January - but he left that possibility in limbo. Suarez said in July: “I feel that next year I will not be able to perform due to my fitness and the high demands of the Brazilian championship, which is why the club and I have spoken about ending