Once again Liverpool striker Luis Suarez demonstrated his absolute class against Exeter City in the second round of the Carling Cup last night. As Kenny Dalglish said, the entire team showed the right attitude during the match, and Suarez particularly looked like he was enjoying himself out there.
Although we were playing against a struggling League One side, Suarez was the stand out performer among his team mates, despite the fact he should be showing some signs of tiredness after his exertions in the Copa America.
The only real worry I have is that the Reds don’t look have as effective when the Uruguayan is not on the pitch. Certainly it is not surprising considering his quality, but I would like to see others stepping up to the mark to take games by the scruff of their neck, and being the leading creative attacking threat.
This is not a criticism of Kenny Dalglish’s signings by any means but the likes of Andy Carroll , Stewart Downing , Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson all add something different to the party in the final third, rather than being flair players with that spark of inspiration.
Downing is a direct runner who will provide the team with width and pace, Henderson is a very solid passer but has some years to go before he is the final product, Adam can provide some killer balls but will rarely create something from nothing, and Andy Carroll will always be the aerial option.
For sure Steven Gerrard will fill this creative void when he returns from injury. Raul Meireles will also be a very important element in the team’s creative play but I still feel we may rely too much on Suarez for inspiration at times, especially with Gerrard absent.
Against Sunderland after he was substituted, against Arsenal before he came on, and even to a certain extent when was taken off last night, the team looked a lot less effective, and I am hopeful that in the coming years, when the Reds return to the Champions League, we can attract more players of the calibre of Luis Suarez. Don’t get me wrong, there are many talented players at the club already but if we are going to make that step towards being the top European club, we will still need more quality.
For me, the acquisition of such players will be the difference between top four and title contenders. I am aware that such things cannot happen overnight but I am still dreaming of a time, in the not to distant future, when the Reds have a fair few more players like our Uruguayan.
Written by David Tully for Live4Liverpool.com. Follow us on twitter @live4Liverpool or like us on Facebook
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Last year we were reliant on Gerrard… now were reliant on Suarez… I think these reports are just changing the players names over. When Gerrard gets back from injury will you find the old Gerrard – Torres reports and substitute Suarez for Torres!!!! Please write something original. Yawn.
whats wrong with you people? first it was gerrard then torres now suarez, everyone who has top players will miss them if they dont play, another thing it wont be long now and we will have gerrard back again that will give you something else to gripe about, get a propper job
I rather think that the answer to that is “Yes!”
Another striker talent is needed if a top four finish is on the cards…