Liverpool FC: Why Luis Suarez Is Something Special

When Liverpool sold their prize attacking asset Fernando Torres to title-rivals Chelsea last January, many fans of the Reds had their heads shaking. Why in God’s name would the club sell their most potent attacking option to a league foe?

With Torres’ attitude changing and the hefty money Chelsea were willing to shell out for the Spaniard, Kenny Dalglish and company couldn’t resist pulling the trigger.

Torres’ injury woes and feelings about the club caused concern for the Reds, and many were also skeptical about the performances he was putting in. Many would agree that the move to deal Torres was inevitable, and the club looked to move forward with 80 million dollars at their disposal.

Using the money from Torres would prove to be a turning point for Livperool, who up until then were experiencing turbulent times. They were lacking cohesion and they were not getting the results they intended. As they slipped further down the league charts, something, or someone, needed to renovate the club.

Having the money to spend, Liverpool went out and found a solution.

Luis Suarez was purchased as LFC’s record signing (until Andy Carroll arrived), and with him came plenty of expectations. Coming off a successful summer with the Uruguayan national team, Suarez was asked to make an immediate impact.

Donning the number 7 jersey previously worn by Kop legends Kevin Keegan and his new coach Kenny Dalglish, Suarez took no time to introduce himself to the Liverpool faithful. In his very first match for the club, he came on as a sub and orchestrated the attack as if he had been playing in Merseyside for years.

Displaying cheeky skill, fabulous flair and undaunted confidence, Suarez marked his debut brilliantly and even managed to grab a goal for himself. After earning Man of the Match honors, the Kop knew they had found a savior, and the man once known as “Liverpool’s number 9” became a distant memory.

Before Liverpool scooped up the Uruguayan, Luis Suarez was relatively unknown to football audiences, but certainly known amongst his peers. He was Ajax’s top scorer twice, named their captain, was recognized as the best player in the Eredivisie and proved pivotal to Uruguay’s run to a fourth place finish in the 2010 World Cup.

Boasting excellent ball control, a powerful shot and a deadly eye for goal, Suarez proved he could terrorize the best backlines in the world, and LFC saw that within seconds during his debut for the club.

With his marvelous skills came a downside though, as many pundits questioned his pedigree, and more importantly, his temperament.

Known for having a quick fuse, Suarez is no stranger to controversy, as his hand ball during the 2010 World Cup will forever tarnish his image in the eyes of Ghanaians everywhere.

Suarez also served an extensive ban while playing for Ajax after biting an opponent, something of an odd spectacle that definitely contributed to his reputation.

Yet Liverpool took a chance on the striker, and it has paid off in dividends. Easily one of the best players LFC had in the second half of last season, his influence and creativity within the side helped the Reds end the season on a positive.

Coming into this season, many thought Suarez’s form would dip due to a lack of rest, as his summer was filled with football. He was named MVP of the Copa America, and he guided his country to an unprecedented 15th title.

Kenny Dalglish faced a predicament once the striker rejoined his mates in Merseyside though, deciding whether or not to rest the star. While at first it was revealed Suarez would sit out the league opener against Sunderland, he was included in the team and went on to bag himself a goal—and a missed penalty—in the season opener.

The next week he came on as a substitute against Arsenal and displayed a heroic effort in beating the Gunners. And while he didn’t get on the score sheet vs. Bolton Wanders, he was able to draw out defenders and get his teammates involved throughout the match.

Liverpool fans are excited to see league action start back up after a short International break, because they know Suarez is in top form at the moment. Fans and experts alike are anxious to see what Suarez can do in his first full season with the Reds.

Luis Suarez is a revelation not just for his club, but for the league in general. The Uruguayan plays with heart, passion and an attitude unlike many others currently playing the game. Suarez is the personification of the cliché of “playing for the badge on the front, not the name on the back”.

And while this attitude has done wonders for Suarez, the most poignant accomplishment for the striker is quite riveting: he has managed to keep Andy Carroll glued to the bench.

His humble upbringings have shaped him into the person we all see today, a man who is thankful for the opportunities he has been given and looks to never disappoint the people who have given him a chance.

This year, teams in England know what the Uruguayan brings day in and day out, and have to be cautious when approaching the striker. If teams do no properly prepare to play against Suarez, the man can single-handedly bag three points for his club.

I predict great things for the striker this season, as do many fans of the Reds. Being the league’s top scorer is not a challenging task for the striker. In fact, with the expectations Suarez has this season, being short of top scorer will be considered a disappointment.

The bucktoothed striker plays with the passion of a young child and goes in to every game with a chip on his shoulder. It is odd to see someone of his talent play as if he has something to prove every game, and to be honest that is quite refreshing.

Liverpool know they have a special player in Luis Suarez, and he is already a crowd favorite who has eradicated the expectations and doubts he brought over with him last January. If he continues to stay in form, avoid injuries and exhibit the enthusiasm he had all last season, expect Liverpool to contend for the title.

And if Liverpool in fact wins the title this year, they will have Luis Suarez to thank.