We need to build our team around Suarez. Full stop. It was a huge mistake building it around Carroll last summer, I really hope it's a mistake that can be rectified. We kept getting told that the team just needs "time to gel," when in reality, IMO, it was just an issue of most of our signings not being good enough. When Gerrard and Suarez played together, they clicked right away. They didn't need time to gel. Why? Because they are both classy players who play on the same wavelength. The issue about Suarez not being ruthless enough is a bit misguided IMO. There were definitely some sitters he should have put away, but him being clinical has much more to do in my opinion with who is around him. Have you ever seen him play for Uruguay? he scores goals like crazy. And yet with us he doesn't. Why is that? Well, if you watch that 4-0 drubbing of Chile last year, you'll see why he is more clinical for them. It's because he is playing with other class players. Cavani, Forlan, Rios, etc, all of these players demand attention, you can't just defend one of them. And so that brings defenders off of Suarez, and gives him less work to do, and a higher likelihood of being clinical.
Last season we depended way too much on him. Remember when Vorm said "if you stop Suarez, you stop Liverpool"? well, unfortunately he was mostly right. I hate to say it but Downing, Adam, Carroll, Henderson etc don't exactly inspire fear in opposing defenders. Last season we basically said "here Luis, go do something with the ball, we'll sit back and watch." Besides Luis and Stevie, our best attacker last season was Glen Johnson, FFS. Bellamy was the only other one who drew attention but he wasn't able to play week in and out. So when the ball goes to Suarez and our own players just sit around and watch, then, well, yea, it's going to be harder for him to be clinical if he has to beat 3 or 4 players plus the keeper. But if he only has to beat 1 or 2, he is not totally exhausted by the time he puts the shot on goal, and he'll have a higher success rate. I mean, this is all pie in the sky, but just suppose our attack had, for example, Muniain, Cavani, and Suarez in it. The defenders would have to practically be glued to all of them. If they went for Muniain, it would free up Suarez, and vice a versa. But when they see Downing, Kuyt, and Suarez, they know that Downing can't beat anyone, Kuyt lacks pace, and if they shut down Suarez they shut down pretty much our attack.
We have to take the pressure off of him. We didn't do that last season and it was a huge mistake. I love Suarez, he's not only our best player but he fights like hell for everything. Wish he would stop moaning when he goes down, but whatever. Other than that, he shows so much passion. Every time he makes a good run and the pass doesn't come to him, he screams out, every time he misses a shot, he is hard on himself. He never stop trying, and is always totally spent at the end of the game. Some people in our squad could learn a lot from him.
Have to build the team around him. Absolutely have to.
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