Luis Suarez Racism Ban: Should Liverpool Sell Him in January?

The English Football Association has announced that Luis Suárez has been found guilty of misconduct arising from an on-field incident with Patrice Evra during Liverpool’s match against Manchester United on October 15, 2011.

The FA has yet to release the full report, and until then, any judgment relative to the findings against Suárez will be premature. That said, the penalty is a steep one for the Uruguayan, and the emotional response of the club reflects the gravity of the situation to both club and player.

Suárez is an immensely talented player without question. Unfortunately, he has also become something of a lightning rod for controversy, a pantomime villain as some have called him; and much of it has been his own doing.

His list of transgressions include a deliberate handball against Ghana at the 2010 World Cup, biting an opponent while still playing in Holland, the incident with Evra and most recently a one-fingered salute in response to jeering Fulham fans.

Liverpool rightfully has supported the player throughout the incidents during his time with the Club, but the question needs to be asked: “Should Liverpool FC consider selling Suárez in January?” 

The short answer is no.

For starters, Suárez is only now beginning his career with the club, having been at Anfield a mere 11 months. In that time, however, he has become the most indispensable player for LFC, and it would be utter folly to cut short his tenure.

Suárez leads the team with a tally of five goals, more than double the next closest players—Charlie Adam and Andy Carroll (both with two goals apiece).  He has committed more fouls than every player but Adam, which speaks to his industry in the offensive third.

More than just committing fouls however, he is also Liverpool’s most-fouled player, indicative of the attention he draws from opposing defenders. Not only do the fouls create opportunities from set pieces, but even when not fouled, the attention he draws creates openings for teammates to exploit.

His teammates have very infrequently taken advantage of those opportunities, a source of visible frustration to the Uruguayan at times.

Imagine the alternative however; the Club would be in absolute dire straits without him on the pitch.

He has out-shot his teammates by a mile, again doubling up on Adam’s efforts, and he is putting more of those efforts on goal than any other player on the team. His sole assist completely belies his value offensively. As noted, without him in the attack (as we have seen on occasion) the offense stagnates.

Andy Carroll has failed to become the dynamic player the club imagined when it bought him for a small fortune from Newcastle. Steven Gerrard has been hurt; Charlie Adam has been inconsistent; Stewart Downing invisible for stretches, and Craig Bellamy is still settling in.

Suárez is absolutely critical to any success that the club hopes to enjoy this season, and consequently, it is critical that the club be firm with but ultimately supportive of the player. 

Selling him would serve no purpose but to frustrate all hopes of returning to prominence anytime soon, and it would delight other “Top Four” contenders, who no doubt would all then line up for his services. 

Therefore, should Liverpool FC sell Luis Suárez? Short answer, no. Long answer, no.