NewsLiverpool's Greatest - No.15: Luis Suarez
Years: 2011-2014
Appearances: 133
Goals: 82
Trophies: League Cup (2012)
The highlights reel of Luis Suarez’s Liverpool career is quite simply breathtaking and can compete with that of any player.
The Uruguayan’s spell as a Red may have been relatively brief – three-and-a-half years – but he goes down as one of the most talented players in the club’s history.
Suarez had the jaws of supporters on the floor on a weekly basis, displaying a truly elite skillset that he combined with an unrelenting will to win.
Along with many, Steven Gerrard considers him to be the best player he has played with.
“He blew me away with his talent,” said Gerrard. “You’ve got a chance of beating anyone in the world with Luis Suarez in your team.”
Fernando Torres departed on the same day as Suarez arrived from AFC Ajax in January 2011 and Kopites’ heartache was brief, such was the immediate impact of their new No.7.
He made his debut as a second-half substitute against Stoke City at Anfield and needed just 16 minutes to open his account.
Suarez was on the scoresheet 17 times in his first full season at Liverpool – including the first of three hat-tricks put past Norwich City and the equaliser in an FA Cup semi-final with Everton.
His contribution in that 2011-12 campaign saw him lift the League Cup under Kenny Dalglish, the only trophy of his Anfield career.
Guilty of missed chances during his early days with the Reds, he raised his levels to new heights in the following two terms with scoring hauls of 30 and 31 respectively.
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Watch on YouTubeStrong, quick and a master of invention, Suarez could seemingly score from all angles and distances, with either foot or head and from set-pieces.
It culminated in the forward producing one of the all-time great individual seasons in 2013-14, leading to him being crowned Professional Footballers’ Association and Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year.
In a terrific tandem with Daniel Sturridge, his campaign included 45 goal involvements and very nearly a Premier League winner’s medal as Brendan Rodgers’ swashbuckling side narrowly missed out on title glory.
Suarez later said: “I think one of the best moments of my life I lived in Liverpool [during] this season because I would shoot from 40 yards and I would score!
“I had so much confidence and the supporters, they helped me.”
It would, though, prove to be his last act on Merseyside.
With suitors for his services numerous and constant throughout his time at Liverpool, a deal was agreed for Suarez to finally depart for Barcelona in the summer of 2014.
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