Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has said that the best way to stop Luis Suarez is to allow the striker time on the ball.

Ferdinand came up against Suarez on a number of occasions when the Uruguay international was with Liverpool, where he scored 82 times in 133 appearances.

Now with Barcelona, Suarez has hit 43 goals in 63 games in Spain, including 18 in 20 appearances this season.

When questioned on how he used to defend against the 28-year-old, Ferdinand revealed that he used to let the forward run at him.

"Suarez, I remember when we played at Anfield and he was on fire at the time, and I just used to let him run at me, and I'd jockey and make him make a decision," Ferdinand said during a Q&A on FA TV.

"I thought he was better, if you had a nibble, he could react quick and then beat you. I used to think if I let him make the decision, he's not as good. Don't get me wrong, he's a great player, but he's always waiting for the defender to make a move, and then he'll react and then go."

Suarez has scored 28 league goals in just 39 appearances for Barcelona.