Liverpool FC vs. Manchester City: Fate Hangs on Performance of Luis Suarez

In what is a significant match for Liverpool in the early part of the season, the team takes on Premier League leaders Manchester City.

If Liverpool is to take care of business at home and pick up points against a hot Manchester City team, it will be because of the top-notch play of forward Luis Suarez.

Suarez leads Liverpool in goals this season, netting four in 12 games so far. During his time in the league, he has proven that he is as dangerous a goal scorer as there is in the game. The 24-year-old scored eight goals last season after tallying a whopping 81 goals in 110 appearances with former club Ajax.

Not to mention, Suarez is coming off a recent four-goal game for Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. The team beat Chile by a score of 4-0. There is no question that he is on a hot-streak as of late.

However, more so than his goal scoring, Suarez will also impact this game against Manchester City in his ability to step up to the plate and bring his best soccer against the better teams in the league. Two of his better performances of the year came against Manchester United and Chelsea.

In the 1-1 draw at home with the Red Devils earlier this season, Suarez provided an early boost in the match with positive play on the pitch, which would eventually allow his team to take a 1-0 lead in the 68th minute.

In Liverpool's most recent match, a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Suarez was again crucial. Maxi Rodríguez and Glen Johnson may have been the two who put the ball in the net, but it was Suarez who was responsible for setting up the goals with his pressure in the attack. His three shots led the team.

Suarez is a special player, not solely for his goal scoring, but for his pressure play in the front that is unmatched by most. His dribbling and passing ability are a big reason for the scoring opportunities the team creates and will be a crucial factor against Manchester City.

The Citizens are a team that puts up goals in a hurry, and Suarez will have to make his impact felt quickly and readily in the match on Sunday. Expect his top-notch play to help Liverpool get at least a point out of the contest.