Like I said, in a fully cyclical kind of way, Luis Suarez’s return is timely.
“Whatever I said, whatever I did, I didn’t mean it,” sung Luis Suarez as he returned back for good: well he didn’t but it would’ve been better than his half-hearted apology back in January and Patrice Evra would take that. How much Suarez has actually been missed is unclear: whilst the win ratios are acutely indifferent, separated by just 1% in the Suarezless Liverpool side’s favour at 55.55%, this is much down to the return of Steven Gerrard, which coincided with Suarez’s ban starting, and the partnership the captain has struck with Carroll.
Gerrard’s ability to bring Carroll into the game has made the #9 look likely to finally settle into his own at Liverpool; in the Uruguayan’s absence. At the time of writing, Bellamy had leapfrogged Luis Suarez as Liverpool’s top scorer with six goals, whilst the former Ajax star sat in the seat Gerrard did for the best part of a year, in a straight swap for the Reds captain.
With two domestic cups still left to fight for, the feisty Uruguayan will be essential to Liverpool’s success this season: a fifth round tie at Anfield against the Championship’s own Uruguayan led outfit, Brighton and Hove Albion is on the horizon and a week later, on the 26th of February, the Carling Cup Final awaits Suarez and his team.
Whether his impact is felt in terms of goals and assists will only be determined between now and the end of the season: however, for many Liverpool fans, it is a welcome boost to a side feeling the benefits of the return of their captain, the doggedness of Craig Bellamy and the long-awaited form of Andy Carroll.
Whatever is thought of him off the pitch, Suarez will prove his worth on it.
Written by Jordan Florit for www.maycauseoffence.com/
For more articles visit my website or my Twitter @JordanFlorit
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