Video: Luis Suarez v. Queens Park Rangers

By: Ed | December 14th, 2011

suarezqpr

Most of the attention paid to Luis Suarez today will focus on the belated hearing in the ongoing Patrice Evra racism saga. It’s obviously a sensitive issue, and one deserving of attention, but also one that’s become farcical in terms of the way it’s been handled. While we can’t and shouldn’t ignore the severity of the situation, it’s also worth paying a little bit of attention to the performances that Suarez has been able to turn out in a climate that’s become increasingly hostile.

Which isn’t to say that he’s some sort of martyr, because he clearly creates plenty of his own problems. He’s flamboyant and irritable, looking for the slightest bit of contact and tending to embellish whatever’s there. He doesn’t do much to endear himself to opposition supporters, and he’ll have questions to answer about his poorly-hidden gesture after the loss at Craven Cottage just under two weeks ago. If the three-man panel finds sufficient evidence to hand down consequences for abusive language or behavior, he’ll be demonized even further, and, if whatever he did or said was done with malice, then it’s justified.

From the outside looking in, it’s a simple task to pile on a player who’s not the easiest to warm up to and manages to frustrate nearly everyone associated with the opposition side. But the heightened focus over the past few weeks on everything that’s wrong with him also serves to ignore the fantastic impact that he has on Liverpool’s squad on a consistent basis.

Again, standard disclaimer about how none of that means anything if he’s racist or said racist things and etcetera, but of late it’s become habit to see his impact get ignored in service of a narrative that contradicts anything remotely positive. It’s near mandatory that every match recap or review includes some reference to his mad genius and the dark arts and looming disciplinary hearings, or his past as a cannibal and murderer of potential African World Cup glories. Regardless of what he does, the football’s not about the football anymore with Luis Suarez.

And it’s a shame considering the type of displays he’s managing week-in, week-out. Sure, his goal last Saturday was his first in league in over two months, and for a club that’s struggled to find the net it’s hard not to want more. That blows past everything else he does, though, and it was terrific to see another dominant performance finally rewarded with a goal. For better or worse, every Liverpool attack goes through him, and he works himself into the ground for a side that desperately need persistence.

So as we wait for the judgment from the all-knowing, all-seeing FA disciplinary panel, let’s at least pass the time by acknowledging what a difference Luis Suarez makes on the pitch for Liverpool. At least before we go back to highlighting how all he’s doing is ruining English football with every breath he takes.

Video by LFCMatchComp via YouTube

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Video: Martin Skrtel v. Queens Park Rangers

Category: Miscellaneous

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Suarez from the car park...

Suarez is buggered for the gesture at Fulham despite officials' historical lackadaisical response to such behaviour. 1 game ban I reckon, hopefully before Newcastle.

I can't see anything coming from the racism charge. I reckon they've covered all their bases with the special panel and cultural investigation so that SAF can't come moaning at them (which he will do anyway).

Man he was everywhere in that QPR game. Such an awesome player, and I think he still has to fully tune into the EPL, that's just the nature of adjusting to a different country/league.

It is a tragedy he didn't play with Torres, story of recent times eh? Boy do we need Gerrard back. That'll push the striker further forwards, probably, and he can play off those through balls and pin point crosses ala the late ball in against Norwich producing Ruddy's save of the match.

We must be close to more accentuated rumour mongering given the impending transfer window. Are we going to go in for another goal scorer? a replacement for lack of lucas? A winger?

And what does that mean for Maxi, Downing, Carroll, even Bellamy? And does Hendo carry on in the middle? He's doing that thing that Lucas used to do, stopping the ball when it's passed to him rather than turning and pushing it off in the direction he wants to go (where there's space) all in one movement, thus slowing down our game.

We need to find a way of getting more pace into our playing style, moving the ball quicker.
That's what stresses defences, and that's what Luis does but the rest of the team doesn't do it with him.
If we don't do it, we'll continue to languish and it'll get harder to attract top players. Anyhow, back to the rumours........
KC

I don't know why I'm doing this to myself. I'm reading all this news about Suarez and the FA hearing and all I want to do is punch those people who keep rubbing his name through more dirt and they're like omg he's such a cheat blah blah blah.They wouldn't be like that if Suarez was on their team!! But I can't stop reading WHY AM I DOING THIS TO MYSELF??? PISS OFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF HATERS LEAVE SUAREZ ALONEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Luis Suarez dentist

Luis Suarez is a genius. Also comes across as a very likeable person.

Lets hope the FA shows some balls and charges Evra for bringing the game into disrepute with his lies (not the first time he has made this stuff up).

Evra does the battle against racism no favours with his constant lies.
redtrev73

With a natural goalscorer alongside him, ( will that ever be Andy?? Here's hoping... ) Luis would have an even more devastating impact for LFC. Kenny had initially envisaged a certain Spaniard as his foil and it's fair to say that that might have been a little bit magnificent.

The direct replacement was our Geordie no. 9 and with even Ngog departed and Kuyt and Bellers not played as no. 9s, Carroll was the only option and what has emerged so far is that his game, fitness and application has needed overhauling. The kid arrived injured and deserved the remainder of last season and a good pre-season to adjust. He even teased us with an excellent and dominant display vs Citeh as a taster of what was to come. So far this year, even allowing for limited playing time, we can clearly see a fitter, leaner guy busting a gut for the cause.

Any of us who've played to any decent level know how Andy's feeling. He's trying TOO hard, edgy and not making the decisions that made him such an awesome force at Newcastle. He is also, crucially, no longer the focal point of the team and must adjust to the pass n' move style that Kenny, thankfully, has re-introduced. Hysterical whining and disgusting abuse of a Redman by those who, at least nominally, are supporters, does not help.

So yeah, I'm still believing Carroll will pull a Lucas but I do want a Defoe-type added to the squad to maximise our chances of a very hard-to-attain CL spot this season.

One can't help but feel that, having delayed this long, the FA inquiry will end in an unpalatable way for Suarez and LFC. I deplore racism and bigotry and want anyone who engages in either to be punished but there is little about this situation that is clear-cut. It may simply come down to whether Suarez has better legal representation than Evra. It's all very depressing and infuriatingly, like the Fulham gesture, could have been avoided. I love the guy and hope he is vindicated and continues his excellent form.

I'm asking Santa for a few months of only fretting about football because the last couple of years have left all Redmen more familiar than they should be with legal terminology.
PDubz18

If it's any consolation, had Torres stuck around things would not be so frosty either...unless Kenny was able to undo surgery and an injury...
Redtrev73

Success is not a given by any means PDubz but then again Torres has actually been "fit" for the majority of the time since his move. His performances in January (especially against Chelsea) suggested a return to the form he'd once displayed. Whether or not the pace remains is debatable but again, prior to his red card he looked to be flying and the movement had returned. Anyway, screw it. He left and I wouldn't want the lad back if I'm honest. Too hard to square away in my little partisan mind.
Latortillablanca

somethin tells me the outcome of this debacle is suck a fat stevie g groin dong...
fastrail

Poacher in January please God make it happen for the sake of all chances Suarez created
Waiting for Sterling

No offense to Maxi, but those crosses Luis put in would have been an easy knock in if someone was there at the far post. Maybe we need a poacher type striker along with a winger and crashing in midfielder to get the positioning down, but whatever it is those could be some easy goals that we need.
Latortillablanca

are you suggesting that maxi is somehow not the greatest winger on the planet!!!!??? the HORROR!!!!!!
Luis Suarez dentist

In fairness Maxi only looks like the greatest winger on Earth when you compare him to Downing (no goals, no assists!)
redtrev73

OK LSD, you've broken me. Downing is patently shite and should probably do 10-15 for winger-related fraud. OK?!

Now. Sir....I need you to step slowly away from the tagline in parentheses....
Suarez from the car park...

lol

"STEP AWAY FROM THE TAGLINE (in parenthesis)"
Luis Suarez dentist

That's a fine plea bargain on behalf of your client Stewart Downing (no goals, no assists).

But i'm afraid it's a straight 25 year sentence with no parole at Shawshank for him!

;)
Suarez from the car park...

nice come back (no clue, no originality), to borrow from the white nacho (is that racist?).
Lis

At Shawshank, huh? In that case, when he actually assists a goal or scores one, you will not alter your tagline?
Luis Suarez dentist

If not when Downing (no goals, no assists) gets one I will change my tagline!
purify_the_body

Is it Sunday yet? Can't wait to see this guy play again.

(btw, the Liverpool Xmas video linked to at the end is sweet, worth its own post...holiday greetings from Skrtel in Slovakian, lol)