Luis Suarez: Liverpool’s New Leader
A palm to the face was all it took for Luis Suarez’s trademark smile to turn to a scowl as he gave the man who had wronged him a look of pure disdain. But this anger did not stem from a premeditated attack by an opponent; he had accidentally been caught in the face by teammate Martin Skrtel as they celebrated Andy Carroll’s second goal against Manchester City on Monday.
Although nothing came of Suarez’s annoyance it was obvious that Liverpool finally had their very own antagonist, a player who opposition fans would love to hate. El Pistolero has carried a reputation as a hot-head since his early days at Nacional through to his time at his last club Ajax, with incidents such as biting the shoulder of PSV’s Otman Bakkal cementing his status as somewhat of a loose cannon.
But while some may see a player such as Suarez as a liability or a disruptive influence, I see his mentality and drive as a positive, with his ability to irritate the type of edge Liverpool have been missing for so long.
If tales of his past had given Reds fans an idea of what was to come from the fiery Uruguayan then his first few games for the club would confirm that he had the determined attitude to match his obvious technical ability. In one of his debut matches at Anfield, Suarez made a trademark foray out wide, where he so often looks to find space.
He called for the ball as his captain Steven Gerrard charged forward with the ball but unfortunately for Suarez his run was not spotted as Gerrard made a rare misplaced pass. That’s OK though, after all it is Steven Gerrard, Liverpool’s talisman for so many years and the undoubted leader of the Anfield dressing room. He can be afforded the odd mistake.
It wasn’t OK with Suarez, however, and he flung his arms in disgust, airing his disapproval for all to see and letting Gerrard know that he must do better in future. Shockingly the Liverpool skipper acknowledged his error as he timidly raised his hand in apology; the man who so many youth-players and new signings appeared too intimidated by to demand the ball from was now saying sorry for not passing sooner. It may not have seemed much at the time but looking back it is an obvious confirmation that Liverpool have a new leader on the pitch, and it isn’t the lad from Whiston.
Of course, if you have a confrontational attitude then you must lead by example and show your teammates how they should be playing if they want to avoid another ear-bashing, and Suarez has done just that since his £23 million January transfer.
A second-striker, Suarez likes to play off of a centre forward (such as Carroll) which allows him the freedom to create havoc in between the lines and to move into the channels where his trickery and quick feet do so much damage. His intelligence off-the-ball is a refreshing change from the static attackers we have been so used to in recent years and his special ability has made him a fan favourite already.
But it is not just the ability but the application that makes him stand out from the rest. His insatiable will-to-win, tireless running and high standards mean that his teammates are forced to up their game, something that can only be good for the club’s future. In the past our players may have dropped their heads if things were going against them but fans can now rest easy knowing that the Reds number 7 will be on their case if their effort levels sink below 100%.
Just as important as home fans loving him is that opposition fans will loathe him. Suarez’s work-rate, ability and hostile attitude mean that he is sure to receive his fair share of boos at away grounds up and down the country, which will make a change as Liverpool were once seen as a soft touch on their travels. But not now that the club have their very own Cristiano Ronaldo, a player that away fans will shout abuse at whilst secretly wishing he was wearing their team’s kit.
This summer is being touted as the most significant at Anfield in years, with several big name players being linked with a move to Merseyside as the club looks to get back into the top four.
But Kenny Dalglish may have already made his most important signing in the form of Suarez, a man who has the leadership qualities to become the club’s talisman when Gerrard has gone. The main man is now in place and his supporting cast better keep up with him or they’ll soon know about it.
A palm to the face was all it took for Luis Suarez’s trademark smile to turn to a scowl as he gave the man who had wronged him a look of pure disdain. But this anger did not stem from a premeditated attack by an opponent; he had accidentally been caught in the face by teammate Martin Skrtel as they celebrated Andy Carroll’s second goal against Manchester City on Monday.
Although nothing came of Suarez’s annoyance it was obvious that Liverpool finally had their very own antagonist, a player who opposition fans would love to hate. El Pistolero has carried a reputation as a hot-head since his early days at Nacional through to his time at his last club Ajax, with incidents such as biting the shoulder of PSV’s Otman Bakkal cementing his status as somewhat of a loose cannon.
But while some may see a player such as Suarez as a liability or a disruptive influence, I see his mentality and drive as a positive, with his ability to irritate the type of edge Liverpool have been missing for so long.
If tales of his past had given Reds fans an idea of what was to come from the fiery Uruguayan then his first few games for the club would confirm that he had the determined attitude to match his obvious technical ability. In one of his debut matches at Anfield, Suarez made a trademark foray out wide, where he so often looks to find space.
He called for the ball as his captain Steven Gerrard charged forward with the ball but unfortunately for Suarez his run was not spotted as Gerrard made a rare misplaced pass. That’s OK though, after all it is Steven Gerrard, Liverpool’s talisman for so many years and the undoubted leader of the Anfield dressing room. He can be afforded the odd mistake.
It wasn’t OK with Suarez, however, and he flung his arms in disgust, airing his disapproval for all to see and letting Gerrard know that he must do better in future. Shockingly the Liverpool skipper acknowledged his error as he timidly raised his hand in apology; the man who so many youth-players and new signings appeared too intimidated by to demand the ball from was now saying sorry for not passing sooner. It may not have seemed much at the time but looking back it is an obvious confirmation that Liverpool have a new leader on the pitch, and it isn’t the lad from Whiston.
Of course, if you have a confrontational attitude then you must lead by example and show your teammates how they should be playing if they want to avoid another ear-bashing, and Suarez has done just that since his £23 million January transfer.
A second-striker, Suarez likes to play off of a centre forward (such as Carroll) which allows him the freedom to create havoc in between the lines and to move into the channels where his trickery and quick feet do so much damage. His intelligence off-the-ball is a refreshing change from the static attackers we have been so used to in recent years and his special ability has made him a fan favourite already.
But it is not just the ability but the application that makes him stand out from the rest. His insatiable will-to-win, tireless running and high standards mean that his teammates are forced to up their game, something that can only be good for the club’s future. In the past our players may have dropped their heads if things were going against them but fans can now rest easy knowing that the Reds number 7 will be on their case if their effort levels sink below 100%.
Just as important as home fans loving him is that opposition fans will loathe him. Suarez’s work-rate, ability and hostile attitude mean that he is sure to receive his fair share of boos at away grounds up and down the country, which will make a change as Liverpool were once seen as a soft touch on their travels. But not now that the club have their very own Cristiano Ronaldo, a player that away fans will shout abuse at whilst secretly wishing he was wearing their team’s kit.
This summer is being touted as the most significant at Anfield in years, with several big name players being linked with a move to Merseyside as the club looks to get back into the top four.
But Kenny Dalglish may have already made his most important signing in the form of Suarez, a man who has the leadership qualities to become the club’s talisman when Gerrard has gone. The main man is now in place and his supporting cast better keep up with him or they’ll soon know about it.
