Liverpool have been blessed with some amazing creative players over the years, and Luis Suarez is the latest in a long-line of 'edge of your seat' players to grace Anfield. Given Suarez's superb performances for the club, it probably seems churlish to highlight an area of possible improvement, but no player is 100% perfect, and in El Pistolero's case, his recent goal record in the Premier League is arguably a cause for minor concern.
Before the blind-faith brigade starts foaming at the mouth and screaming things like 'heresy!' and 'lynch him', notice that I said 'minor' concern, i.e. I don't think it's a big deal, just something worth discussing.
Suarez is a fantastically talented footballer, but the following facts are arguably cause for minor concern:
* Only 2 goals in the last 10 Premier League games.
* No goals in the last 5 Premier League games.
I may be in the minority here but I find this a little worrying. Two goals in ten Premier League games is not a return that reflects the Suarez's ability, and his current barren spell in the league has (indirectly) led to Liverpool drawing three of the last 5 league games.
If this barren spell was a one-off then I'd dismiss it as a blip, but if we look at Suarez's league goalscoring form over the last year, a slghtly worrying pattern is evident. Consider the following:
* 4 goals in 13 league games last season for Liverpool.
* Prior to joining Liverpool: 1 goal in his final 10 league games for Ajax.
* OVERALL: 9 goals in the last 35 league games (Ajax + Liverpool)
Irrespective of the fan-love for Suarez, 9 goals in the last 35 league games is not a great return, especially when you consider that Suarez scored 41 goals in 35 league games before that!
We're one third of the way through this league season, and if we extrapolate Suarez's current goal return across the rest of the season, he'd only end up with around 12 league goals, which would be a very disappointing return, and could potentially be fatal for Liverpool's chances of finishing in the top 4.
Obviously, I hope and expect Suarez to start scoring regular league goals for Liverpool, but the above figures are, IMO, a legitimate concern.
It's unfair for all the pressure to be on Suarez to score, but he is Liverpool's main striker, and his goal return in the league needs to increase.
Come on, Luis!
Jaimie Kanwar
Before the blind-faith brigade starts foaming at the mouth and screaming things like 'heresy!' and 'lynch him', notice that I said 'minor' concern, i.e. I don't think it's a big deal, just something worth discussing.
Suarez is a fantastically talented footballer, but the following facts are arguably cause for minor concern:
* Only 2 goals in the last 10 Premier League games.
* No goals in the last 5 Premier League games.
I may be in the minority here but I find this a little worrying. Two goals in ten Premier League games is not a return that reflects the Suarez's ability, and his current barren spell in the league has (indirectly) led to Liverpool drawing three of the last 5 league games.
If this barren spell was a one-off then I'd dismiss it as a blip, but if we look at Suarez's league goalscoring form over the last year, a slghtly worrying pattern is evident. Consider the following:
* 4 goals in 13 league games last season for Liverpool.
* Prior to joining Liverpool: 1 goal in his final 10 league games for Ajax.
* OVERALL: 9 goals in the last 35 league games (Ajax + Liverpool)
Irrespective of the fan-love for Suarez, 9 goals in the last 35 league games is not a great return, especially when you consider that Suarez scored 41 goals in 35 league games before that!
We're one third of the way through this league season, and if we extrapolate Suarez's current goal return across the rest of the season, he'd only end up with around 12 league goals, which would be a very disappointing return, and could potentially be fatal for Liverpool's chances of finishing in the top 4.
Obviously, I hope and expect Suarez to start scoring regular league goals for Liverpool, but the above figures are, IMO, a legitimate concern.
It's unfair for all the pressure to be on Suarez to score, but he is Liverpool's main striker, and his goal return in the league needs to increase.
Come on, Luis!
Jaimie Kanwar
Enter the league of Suarez haters and Carroll gets relieved.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest though, I think Suarez is also unlucky because of poor refereeing decisions against him. It does seem like an excuse but we see him playing with his heart out every match, and his creativity and brilliance is there. He can also be unselfish and provide goals instead of scoring, although there are times when his own brilliance gets the better of him. Still entertaining to watch though!
His finishing hasn't exactly been lethal, but a lot of the chances he gets, he creates himself - so it's hard to overly criticise him for that. Let's see what the next 35 games bring... 41 goals would be nice :)
ReplyDeleteLuis is a fine entertainer but a goal machine he aint and never will be.That's why Liverpool need to sign somebody who is
ReplyDeleteYou been watching moneyball with all those goal stats, he could bang in a couple of doubles or hatricks in the few games then the 12 goal stats out the window.
ReplyDeleteHe'll score goals whilst also creating a huge amount, up to others to chip in as well if we're to get in champs lg.
I am not certain if its a worry. Class is permanent Form is Temporary. Luis needs better service. Downing, henderson, Carroll have been (to be kind) inconsistant and I think he plays better with Bellamy and or Kuyt.
ReplyDeleteHe has scored 11 goals in 28 appearances in all comps for us compared with who he replaced (Torres) who has got 5 in 31 in all comps.
Suarez has a career record of 149 in 258 games again comparing with Torres 177 in 422 he is actually a more prolific Striker than him.
All Strikers have both golden and lean spells throughout the season hopefully we are about to see Luis hit a golden patch.
my post above is based on club stats and does not include internationals before i am lambasted for getting it wrong
ReplyDeleteI know that and suarez is the one to blame for that he misses too many chances even sitters he's not a great finisher thats a bit sad and under kenny we dont score much I dont think we won a game 3-0 this season yet whats the worst we concede a lot as well things arent going that well whats the point to win against big teams and draw against promoted ones thats stupid since I've joined lfc we always had this problem and we must fix it now.
ReplyDeleteWe need more chances created for Suarez by players like Downing, Kuyt and Henderson/Gerrard.
ReplyDeletecommon assertion - Suarez creates a lot of his own chances - he would have a higher goal return if he didnt have to do as much of this.
ReplyDeleteIn short a striking partner is needed for him... then the both of them would create goals for each other. Facts are facts - Carroll is not that man and the best short term option is Craig Bellamy or even Dirk Kuyt untill we get that much needed partner for him.
Suarez is perfectly fine, he creates and assists as many, as any player in Europe. Leave him to carry on as he is, the players are clicking and we will share the goals around, which is the better system.
ReplyDeletewhy not invent a story with substance it's easy, there are thousands out there.
ReplyDeleteLiverpool is not playing football yet,sometimes I feel it is not fair to judge a player whilst his teammates are doing absolutely nothing on the field.Remember we used to want goals from Torres but at that time we had Alonso,Gerrard,Reina,Carra and other players doing their job.To miss penalties is also a big concern,why not give them to Gerrard or Adam?Let the team play and I would be able to tell if Suarez is failing.He does not get the quality passes from the midfield but the games we win are mostly because of his creativity,you see!
ReplyDeleteInternational strike rates should be factored into this as well I think if we're going to judge him on goals alone (which is entirely unfair given his work rate, assist record and positional play) 26 goals in 52 games and 4 in the last international he played.
ReplyDeleteSome people are never satisfied.
having read several of your articles,have you ever anything positive to say about lfc,you consistantly try to find fault,even if we have a great game you will find something to find fault with,your outlook on life must be really grimm,why dont you try writing about the positives,because if you take were we were this time last year,then theres plenty of positives to talk about,but trying to find a concern in suarez game,well thats just a joke,or have you just run out of things to say,get behind the team and leave kk to decide what he thinks needs concern.
ReplyDeleteIt's a teamwork and no body should blame another.
ReplyDeleteShit-up Jamie you muppet. He adds so much more than goals to the team. You wouldn't even be writing this if some other players were taking up the slack and scoring. I don't remember Suarez ever being touted as a goal machine before we bought him anyway...
ReplyDelete'but a goal machine he aint and never will be'. Are you serious?, hasn't he just scored ALL four goals, for his country????. Do you actually know anything about football?, cause if you did, you'll know, that with better service he'll score a bundle!!!.
ReplyDeletesince YOU joined LFC. in that case leave and the problem will be solved.
ReplyDeleteWe are a family at LFC we win together and loose together, you want to be a plastic fan go follow CHELSEA
he has quiet few assists in that time, he'll get more goals, dont forget how many new players there are in the side and takes time to get used to them and there way of playing
ReplyDeleteIn a word, no
ReplyDeleteAt a glance, your numbers could be viewed as worrying.............
Look at your numbers a bit differently and it can be stated that Suarez has 50 goals in last 70 club appearances, throw in international goals and corresponding achievements internationally and he looks like world player of the year
Statistics can be interpreted in almost anyway you choose
Either way, he is world class and we are lucky to have him....
Our agreement with Nacional should provide us with a conveyor belt of Uruguayans he feels he has to stay around for long term
if i never watched liverpool then the statistics would be a little worrying, but as i watch every game they are insignificant. surez does more for liverpool without scoring than any other player, he leads by example, never stops working, always supports the team, presses contantly. Surez is a joy to watch and is the most hard working striker we have had in years! he is a liverpool player who gives his all every minute he is on that pitch and that is what we want from our players!
ReplyDeleteSuarez is exausted.The lies Evra and Plum Nose have levelled at suarez look like they have drained him as well.If I was dalglish what better way to get his own back on Plum Nose and Evra than leaving Suarez out of Sundays game giving the reason as the constant lies being aimed at Suarez has caused a dip in form so we will rest him for sundays game,wouldnt mind betting the pair of liars soon drop their outragous slurs aimed at suarez.
ReplyDeleteI see your point but u should probably mention goals for his country. I put it down mostly (but not entirely) to bad luck.
ReplyDeleteLeave Suarez out so that we lose?
ReplyDeleteSuarez said something, allegedly negrito or negrita, that Evra has a right to complain about but nothing will come of it as the term isn't deemed racist in Latin America etc..........
If it was negrita, feminine version, it's probably the equivalent of calling some one a big girl's blouse - which is exactly what Evra is
If football was played on paper then this would matter. Since it isn't, this is of no matter. Everyone can agree that the EPL is much more aggressive and high tempo than the Erdivise. For Suarez to come in and dance around the defence as he did for Ajax is very unrealistic. EPL is cream of the crop and defensive units catch on quickly to that style of play. Another issue is that Liverpool need to find the proper fashion to play Suarez to get the best out of him.
ReplyDeleteWell said!, Mhspate1.
ReplyDeletewell lets have ten complaints after every game for such trivial remarks were no offence was meant.In over 35 years of supporting LFC i can honestly say now is the most demoralising,so called LFC fans ganged up with the Sun,fergie and his lapdogs(allardyce,redknapp,bruce,all bung takers by the way who were interested in lining their own pockets)and forced Rafa out with their pathetic spin,lies and assassination campaign against a great coach,manager,man who doubled the wealth of the club from £90m when he came to £180m when he left per year.Yet now we have LFC fans siding with Evra and Fergie in their right to villify the world over an innocent man who they know has done no wrong.Johnny Cashes song what have we become is apt for a lot of LFC fans now.Dont even bother replying im off.
ReplyDelete"Before the blind-faith brigade starts foaming at the mouth" Hahahaha classic!
ReplyDeleteRafa was forced out by a media campaign, this site's author a prime example
ReplyDeleteRafa was great, he could come back in 10-15 years after Kenny's done
All I said is that technically Evra had a right to complain about the word "negrita", especially if he didn't know the meaning
I would guess that he did know the meaning and was annoyed because he was made a show of during the game and tried to get revenge
I'm off too
This site is not about open discussion. It's about the author stating his view and never wavering
your a complete wanka mate..... end of....
ReplyDeleteL.Suarez needs a world class striker too partner him, wingers too supply him with crosses and a creative midfielder to feed him cute passes.
ReplyDeleteSHAME WE HAVE NONE OF THESE PLAYERS AT THE MOMENT!!!!!
HOPE KENNY GETS THE CHEQUE BOOK OUT IN JANUARY!!!!
your comment show how stupid r u !! u r really a nuts !! u must observe how much contribution the player have made to the team. how he has made thick to the team !!!you r sucks man!!
ReplyDeleteLiverpool have conceded the same amount of goals as Man City and Newcastle which is eleven in the premiership. The least in the league dude. YNWA
ReplyDeleteWell said mate. LFC = Family. Suarez loves our club and entertains us like our heroes did. The smile on his face and the way he plays football is immense. Were lucky to have one of the most skilled players in the world at our club. Some people haven't got a scooby
ReplyDeleteLuis Suarez is world class at what he does. Individual brilliance, making something out of nothing and scoring extrodinary goals(Stoke away in Carling Cup)as for being a Robbie Fowler he is not as he does miss too many so called sitters and this has been evident especially at Anfield this season. In fairness he has been on the end of some outstanding goalkeeping, John Ruddy last minute save vs Norwich springs to mind!! I would be happy with a goals return of 15 this year from King Luis but we do need other strikers and midfielders to be getting into double figures, easier said than done mind!!!
ReplyDeleteNo doubting Luis suarez is easily best 5 in world at moment, as for goal ratio at present, this always evens it self out, Rooney had 9 goals in 4 matches, hasnt scored since the whopper!!!!!!
luis will score more if we get another creative midfield/striker partner for him such as raul meireles or adebayor or suarez type of player who can offer more mobility. lets say i would consider liverpool winning the premier league with one more signing of such player.
ReplyDeleteThis thought has actually crossed my mind about Suarez not scoring enough, it might be the case of too much pressure in him as we are not scoring many goals at the moment. I think if some others start chipping in with goals it will take the pressure of Suarez and he will relax more and start banging them in. Just a theory but maybe it is because he is trying too hard to force goals.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely correct mate. I got a feeling kenny is not as strong mentally whereas rafa stood for every accusation went against him and his players. I really admire him for that, especially for standing up to the big red noses! Absolutely top coach!!
ReplyDeleteYou are an idiot!! simple as that!!
ReplyDeleteadd forlan to the mix and then u will see some magic?? they know each others game .
ReplyDeleteSuarez is an intelligent, fast and skillful footballer. It is mandatory that his partners are on the same wavelength as he is. They must have the brain to read and anticipate his quick movements and find spaces in between defence to receive and give back the ball by playing fast one-two`s with him. Thats how we are gonna bring the best out of him. Otherwise it will be just like he is doing everything on his own. No wonder it is more difficult for him to score. One player, even if he is the best in the world can easily be marked. Two or three more players coorperating in breaking down the defence will be much more difficult for the opposition to keep track. The only players we have right now who fit the bill are bellamy and rodriguez. Others especially the likes of kuyt and our 35 million striker EL MuLo would only get in his way and hold him back. I`m sure if Luis is surrounded with the right set of players he will start scoring more.
ReplyDeleteAll suarez needs is a fit Gerrad and he will start getting some quality service from midfield and maybe if Downing starts doing his job and cross the fecking ball that would help aswell.
ReplyDeleteThe main reason he who shall not be named scored so many goals was thanx too GERRAD!!!!!
Id like to see A.Johnson,G.Cahill and E.Cavani in the jan trans market.
------------------------Reina------------------------
G.Johnson-------G.Cahill------D.Agger-------Enrique
-----------------------------------------------------
A.Johnson------S.Gerrad-----C.Adam-------S.Downing
-----------------------L.Suarez---------------------
-----------------------E.Cavani---------------------
Subs=Lucas,Carragher,Kuyt,Henderson,Coates,Carroll,Skrtel
The article is nonsense. Watch him when he plays for Uruguay, and you'll see that Suarez plays further upfield than Forlan and even Cavani! Forlan, Cavani and the uruguayan midfield provider better support and better feed Suarez and allow him to score more often. Suarez cannot be asked to deliver the Ajax or Uruguay goal returns when, without Gerrard or any other reliable playmaker or striker, he is forced to do pretty much everything. Why don't we worry about the absurd amount of money that was paid for Carroll for example? Or is it that his stats are better than Suarez? ... Please.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Napoli would accept to transfer Cavani or Lavezzi for 50M or 25M plus Carroll.
ReplyDeleteIt seems wrong to think he couldnt be a 'goal machine', he's good and young, he could turn out to be just that. People neglect to consider the vagaries of luck or 'variance' in the game of football. For goalscorers it's a trend that keeps repeating, save a few players who are among all time greats, every striker has bad spells. Sometimes they're long, and elements relating to luck end up spawning a psychological(or roughly, a confidence) problem within the player.
ReplyDeleteThe point is, in almost all cases quality isnt enough to avoid that run where you're not getting much right- the reason is commonly known as luck. But 'variance' describes better the non-uniform nature of experience, performance and life.
Didnt set out to get so philosophical and fiddly, but this stuff is reality. In a nutshell- No matter how good you are, you can't be good all the time. The 'less good' you are, the more likely you are not to be good all the time. Get it!?
Messi is awesome and seemed to have influenced every game I've ever seen him in, usually in an extraordinary way. To my knowledge this makes him unique. I have never seen a player so good, so consistently. He is at one end of the spectrum. He's so good, he transcends the manacle of luck and variance, but he is so rare to be called unique.
Personally I feel that Adam in particular seems to almost "avoid" plays with Suarez and the pair Adam-Downing seem to want to work only with eachother passing between themselves - they continuously shoot for themselves, trying to make their mark or something without regard for the team. Enrique, while I like his ability, extremely overdoes the reasonable loner strikes, wasting build-up of attacking runs as a team. We cannot ask Suarez to center the ball to himself, create, dribble & finish all by himself. The team should completely focus on Suarez, Suarez, Suarez... or whoever is in his position, but right now it is everyone having a half-arsed shot.
ReplyDeleteYou guys do realise that a player's worth isn't measured by how many goals he scores, right? Suarez is undeniably a great striker BUT he is an equally impressive play-maker. The majority of Liverpool goals scored this season by other players so far have been, largely, due to Suarez's play-making.
ReplyDeleteHe might not score coveted hat-tricks every game (surely, you can't expect him to) but but he can definitely score goals. If not, he can almost seamlessly destroy an opponent's defensive line to allow another forward the opportunity to score. That's the beauty of him...he's a bloody team player. That's a lot more than I can say for other strikers in the EPL.