Have Liverpool forgotten what it looks like to have somebody else celebrate scoring a goal? Our Team analyses just how much Liverpool need their electrifying Uruguayan...
Seven goals in 12 games is the statistic Liverpool's Uruguayan holds proudly aloft. This season and the last half season, he has already earned comparisions to their right honourable gaffer, King Kenny himself. And why not? The Liverpudlians have a hero again from amongst the gloom and departures last season. But having settled in so well, is it possible that he's settled in TOO well?
Have Liverpool actually changed their playing style to completely suit the Uruguayan? To an extent, the anwser would obviously have to be in the affirmative, the man's playing style being very different from that of Fernando Torres. But the question remains as to whether Liverpool have a Plan B when Suarez is injured or subbed. The question stays - Are Liverpool too dependent on Luis Suarez?
Oops! I did it again | Suarez grabbed a brace against Stoke to win it 1-2 for the Reds
The short answer is 'Yes'. But before we have a pack of angry Scousers baying for our blood (and that isn't a fate anybody would wish on themselves), let us explain why so. The long answer. It will have to be divided into three parts - statistical, how Liverpool have lined up and attacked and how they fared in the one game where he didn't start.
But then statistics are so often misleading, especially skewed due to the fact that Liverpool have played so many more games with Suarez than without. However, this is worryingly backed up this season, at least, by the statistic of the team's second highest scorers. Andy Carroll, Craig Bellamy and Mr. Owen Gohl (sic) all tied on a meagre two goals.
Let us then consider the Liverpool attack this season. Chalkboard analyses have shown the attack pattern to be in more or less a funnel shape towards the opposition's goal, aiming low crosses or diagonal through balls, usually from the egde of the penalty area, without going too deep into the wings. This form of attack is more or less exclusively Suarez centric, with Kuyt (the midfielder converted into attacker with enough starts to compare) preferring to take down balls in the air or attack through balls.
Considering the Man United game, where Ferdinand put in a brilliant shift of marking the eel-like Uruguayan, he consequently stemmed any penetration from the mildly threatening Liverpool attack. Suarez was reduced to dropping deep to feed his own attacks and running at the defence, something he did well, but never getting an end product. And their only goal came from a Steven Gerrard free-kick.
Not this time! | Ferdinand did a stellar job in marking Suarez and neutralizing the Reds
Another strength AND weakness in Suarez's game is that his first choice is always trying to get past a defender, even when a pass is open. This has cost Liverpool sometimes, thugh not often, his brilliance usually ensuring that the defender is left flat-footed. The Uruguayan is largely unselfish, but not too often in the final third.
Consequently, the Liverpool wide players, once having passed it to him, either narrow down, to try and latch on to any possible interception else, remain static, not expecting the pass. Not a very good tactic for Liverpool's general dynamism.
Finally, we must consider the Arsenal game. In all honesty, Liverpool might have threatened, but they were usually bereft of ideas and the long ball game which Carroll thrives on was just not working out. Very few were around to receive his knock downs and Liverpool's passes put him into situations where he had to run at the defence, something, even with his height and strength, he does not do well on the ball.
On came Suarez in the 71st minutes and in the 78th, Liverpool had broken the deadlock. He harried Miquel Ignasi in the box such that he cleared it onto Ramsey's chest for an own goal. Indignant at being robbed of the scoring opportunity, he grabbed his own in the 90th.
The other one's mine too! | Forced one goal and scored the other against Arsenal
Worryingly in the long run, it was only after he came on that Liverpool looked like the well functioning machine that they should be. It is commendable that Luis Suarez has turned himself into a vital cog in the Liverpool machine. But let us not forget that he should not be the only one. Liverpool have a galaxy of stars in their squad. The others need not let themselves be eclipsed. It is a time of hope, of the FSG, of King Kenny and of joy for Liverpool Football Club. But let them have a plan B for those times when they are without the services of El Pistolero, whether that be sickness or departure.
Have Liverpool actually changed their playing style to completely suit the Uruguayan? To an extent, the anwser would obviously have to be in the affirmative, the man's playing style being very different from that of Fernando Torres. But the question remains as to whether Liverpool have a Plan B when Suarez is injured or subbed. The question stays - Are Liverpool too dependent on Luis Suarez?
Oops! I did it again | Suarez grabbed a brace against Stoke to win it 1-2 for the Reds
The short answer is 'Yes'. But before we have a pack of angry Scousers baying for our blood (and that isn't a fate anybody would wish on themselves), let us explain why so. The long answer. It will have to be divided into three parts - statistical, how Liverpool have lined up and attacked and how they fared in the one game where he didn't start.
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But then statistics are so often misleading, especially skewed due to the fact that Liverpool have played so many more games with Suarez than without. However, this is worryingly backed up this season, at least, by the statistic of the team's second highest scorers. Andy Carroll, Craig Bellamy and Mr. Owen Gohl (sic) all tied on a meagre two goals.
Let us then consider the Liverpool attack this season. Chalkboard analyses have shown the attack pattern to be in more or less a funnel shape towards the opposition's goal, aiming low crosses or diagonal through balls, usually from the egde of the penalty area, without going too deep into the wings. This form of attack is more or less exclusively Suarez centric, with Kuyt (the midfielder converted into attacker with enough starts to compare) preferring to take down balls in the air or attack through balls.
Considering the Man United game, where Ferdinand put in a brilliant shift of marking the eel-like Uruguayan, he consequently stemmed any penetration from the mildly threatening Liverpool attack. Suarez was reduced to dropping deep to feed his own attacks and running at the defence, something he did well, but never getting an end product. And their only goal came from a Steven Gerrard free-kick.
Not this time! | Ferdinand did a stellar job in marking Suarez and neutralizing the Reds
Another strength AND weakness in Suarez's game is that his first choice is always trying to get past a defender, even when a pass is open. This has cost Liverpool sometimes, thugh not often, his brilliance usually ensuring that the defender is left flat-footed. The Uruguayan is largely unselfish, but not too often in the final third.
Consequently, the Liverpool wide players, once having passed it to him, either narrow down, to try and latch on to any possible interception else, remain static, not expecting the pass. Not a very good tactic for Liverpool's general dynamism.
Finally, we must consider the Arsenal game. In all honesty, Liverpool might have threatened, but they were usually bereft of ideas and the long ball game which Carroll thrives on was just not working out. Very few were around to receive his knock downs and Liverpool's passes put him into situations where he had to run at the defence, something, even with his height and strength, he does not do well on the ball.
On came Suarez in the 71st minutes and in the 78th, Liverpool had broken the deadlock. He harried Miquel Ignasi in the box such that he cleared it onto Ramsey's chest for an own goal. Indignant at being robbed of the scoring opportunity, he grabbed his own in the 90th.
The other one's mine too! | Forced one goal and scored the other against Arsenal
Worryingly in the long run, it was only after he came on that Liverpool looked like the well functioning machine that they should be. It is commendable that Luis Suarez has turned himself into a vital cog in the Liverpool machine. But let us not forget that he should not be the only one. Liverpool have a galaxy of stars in their squad. The others need not let themselves be eclipsed. It is a time of hope, of the FSG, of King Kenny and of joy for Liverpool Football Club. But let them have a plan B for those times when they are without the services of El Pistolero, whether that be sickness or departure.
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