At the time of writing, many of you, including myself will have started their Sunday afternoon by watching the thrilling Merseyside derby. In the week leading up to the game, I discussed and debated whether or not Luis Suarez was a quality finisher after his misfiring display against Reading the week before.
If I even count as a critic, he certainly silenced me today, playing a huge part in the first goal, scoring a well worked second and having a totally legitimate goal at the death ruled out for offside. In truth, a draw was a fair result as Everton were heroic in their display to come back from being a couple of goals down in such a passionate, high pressure game.
So, for the time being, all those who jump on the anti-Suarez bandwagon were left in quiet contemplation, especially David Moyes, whom Suarez answered his claims he dives with his extravagant celebration after the first goal. Although, is he really the man to take Liverpool forward? He seems to be constantly in the headlines for the wrong reasons, which is unfortunate for a player of such incredible talent. So here is my theory: The man is backed by his manager, first Kenny Dalglish and then Brendan Rodgers for every negative backlash he suffers, because they want to look after their prized asset. I don’t know many teams that could buy a £20 million pound striker and then once an allegation of racism emerged concerning him, discard him like a lepper.
The only example of a team really throwing away a prized asset carelessly would be Man City and the Carlos Tevez saga. Yet wouldn’t you know he came back and starts every week for the champions despite such competition for a place up front. So, back to Liverpool, Suarez gets himself in trouble, so Liverpool back him, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and all that. Backing a striker who was found guilty of racial abuse may have been a PR disaster for Liverpool, but long term the thinking is he will repay them with goals.
However, my theory is that, yes, he may be a controversial character, for diving or whatever else, but I feel he does not have the goal scoring ability to back up his controversy. Dare I say it, he is not a world class center forward. So, the question could be asked, how is their so much hype around him? Simple, he is a world class player, but not a 20 goals-a-season man.
Might be be better in a wide position? I’m not the manager, but his quick feet, pace, trickery and ability to win free kicks (legitimately or otherwise) would make even some of the best full backs tremble. Plus his crossing ability is divine, his free kicks are sensational and Brendan Rodgers will know all too well that the young prospect
Raheem Sterling may have bags of potential, but over exposure is a risky business.
These are not things to think about right now due to Liverpool’s striker situation, but an experienced front man may be just what the Kop faithful crave come January if the wins don’t start coming for the Reds. If that happens, It will be interesting to see what happens tactically to the set up, but for now, Anfield must be patient, optimistic and faithful to the tricky Uruguayan, whether the goals go in or not.
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