Whilst club fans tend to support their players through thick and thin (especially their star players), Luis Suarez has made it very hard for Liverpool fans. The Uruguayan trouble maker has Liverpool fans flip-flopping back and forth, unable to reach a consensus.
When he first arrived at the club, he became an instant fan favourite. Even if his finishing was a little off (something he has since corrected), his quick feet and footballing smarts made him stick out at Anfield.
Unfortunately a series of controversies followed. First he became embroiled in an ugly racism saga with Patrice Evra. Then he chomped down into the arm of fellow professional Branislav Ivanovic, earning himself a mammoth 10 game ban.
This put Liverpool fans in a very difficult position indeed. Would they still choose to back a man who demonstrably had a wonky moral compass? As it happens, the great majority of fans stuck by him, as did his team-mates.
It wasn’t until he started to engineer a move away from the club that Liverpool fans really started to turn against the Uruguayan. It seems that the worst crime you can commit at Anfield is to try and walk away.
I should make it clear this isn’t an attack on Liverpool fans. Arsenal made a mammoth bid for the striker too during the summer. Real Madrid are interested. Plenty of big clubs have muddied their waters through association.
As we know, Suarez didn’t get the move he desired. Brendan Rodgers showed considerable strength throughout the summer and managed to keep hold of his star man.
157 days after his hunger got the better of him, Luis Suarez took to the field in Liverpool’s Capital One Clash with Manchester United. Rodgers was pleased to see him back but also seemed to suggest that he owed it to Liverpool fans to give them good performances:
“He was clapping to the crowd before the match started so he recognises everything they have given him. Now he has got to get his head down and give them that great talent he has and hopefully it will end up in goals for him.” (Source: The Star)
I don’t buy it at all. Luis Suarez has completely cut his ties off with Liverpool fans. As far as I can tell, neither party owes the other anything.
Liverpool fans turned their back on Suarez just as quickly as he turned his back on them. Both parties are guilty. Some of the hatred spewed at Suarez throughout the summer was sickening.
Besides, if the stories about Suarez being promised a move away from the club are true, it’s the club who owes him.
Fan allegiance is a difficult issue, simply because it’s fueled by passion. There are very few half-arsed opinions. Besides, when it comes to Luis Suarez, you either go all in, or stay well clear.
When it comes to Liverpool, I can’t help but feel that the time is right to sell Suarez, reimburse the money and move on.
What’s your take? Does Luis Suarez owe something to Liverpool?
Please follow @ThePerfectPass for more football related action!
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
“Reimburse the money?” Give them the fee back? Why?
Oh I assume you meant reinvest it. On who? If we can keep Suarez in with the plan, and achieve Champion’s League next season, we have one of the best strikers in the world. Why would we want to compromise this? If he still wants to go the sell then, but only for the fee we want, and only with a replacement already lined up.
What a half thought out piece of writing.