Liverpool FC Forum

[Kharhaz]

Very true, but against West Brom, critical chances fell to Suarez and he failed to convert them all. We need a striker who may only get two chances to score all match, but who will put both chances away, someone like Michael Owen.

I will put the West Brom match down to a freak match. The so called penalty against Skrtel, the minimal contact with Agger, their first goal being bloody brilliant ! and of course Suarez having a very off day. We needed some kind of luck other than bad, and we didnt have it.

[Boxscarf]

Suarez was missing guilt-edge chances all season-long last season though.

[Kharhaz]

Suarez was missing guilt-edge chances all season-long last season though.

Last season he was also involved in one of the biggest conspiracies the game has seen, but he also scored from near the half way line. And as his recent comments have made mention of, he is still not over how upset the slimy maggot Evra made him. Also lets take into account the english fans treatment of him during the olympics. Some kind of leeway has to be given.

[Scottbot]

Still our best option as alone frontman for me though. I don't think he would be especially effective playing inside right or left in this set-up. People talk about him running at full-backs and beating them but his best work comes in tight spaces (usually in the box) and he is most likely to be in this position playing through the middle. I don't think he necessarily has to match the strike rates of a Rooney or a Torres (when he was decent) but if he could just get a little more clinical I think we will be in business this season.

Fans were quick to bring this up after the match at the weekend but aside form the header the majority of chances that came his way were half-chances that he had worked open all by himself. The challenge for the side (in general) is to create more CLEAR-CUT chances. Based on yesterday's performance, yes he really should have buried the header but most of the others were half-chances that were entirely of his own making. I will always find it difficult to be critical of Luis given that that he is comfortably the best player at the club and that he absolutely works his bollox off every time he pulls on the shirt.

[Kharhaz]

Still our best option as alone frontman for me though. I don't think he would be especially effective playing inside right or left in this set-up. People talk about him running at full-backs and beating them but his best work comes in tight spaces (usually in the box) and he is most likely to be in this position playing through the middle. I don't think he necessarily has to match the strike rates of a Rooney or a Torres (when he was decent) but if he could just get a little more clinical I think we will be in business this season.

Fans were quick to bring this up after the match at the weekend but aside form the header the majority of chances that came his way were half-chances that he had worked open all by himself. The challenge for the side (in general) is to create more CLEAR-CUT chances. Based on yesterday's performance, yes he really should have buried the header but most of the others were half-chances that were entirely of his own making. I will always find it difficult to be critical of Luis given that that he is comfortably the best player at the club and that he absolutely works his bollox off every time he pulls on the shirt.

Yes, this is what my general feelings are about Suarez.  Thanks Scott 

[Raoul]

I disagree. I've always felt Suarez looks dangerous around the sides of the box, especially from the left. I don't believe he is a good enough finisher to play down the middle. I think freeing him to float, in a fairly fluid front four, but not having to lead the line will see the best out of him.

Whether it is Borini or Carroll or someone else playing primarily in the centre I'm not sure, but I'm sure it is not where we'll get the best out of Suarez.

[Scottbot]

I disagree. I've always felt Suarez looks dangerous around the sides of the box, especially from the left. I don't believe he is a good enough finisher to play down the middle. I think freeing him to float, in a fairly fluid front four, but not having to lead the line will see the best out of him.

Whether it is Borini or Carroll or someone else playing primarily in the centre I'm not sure, but I'm sure it is not where we'll get the best out of Suarez.

But by playing Luis out wide it also means he will spend much (for me) of the game too far away from the opposing team's penatly area, he will be required to drop off (like any wide player) when we're not in a position to press the ball and it will be far easier for defenders to show him in a particular direction (given that he will be playing closer to the sideline and further away from the goal).

I thought he could do a job coming off the left hand side last seaosn but I remember Kenny trying Carroll throuhg the middle with Luis and Kuyt in the wide positions on a couple of occasions (can't remember who against) but it looked all wrong, particularly for Luis.

[Benny The Noon]

Scott just bevause he would be on the right side ( or left ) doesn't mean he is going wide - the width is provided by the full backs.

Go re watch the derby last year where Gerrard scored a hat trick - Carroll was the centre player with Suarez being to the left of him the then Gerrard to the right.

[ycsatbjywtbiastkamb]

Scott just bevause he would be on the right side ( or left ) doesn't mean he is going wide - the width is provided by the full backs.

Go re watch the derby last year where Gerrard scored a hat trick - Carroll was the centre player with Suarez being to the left of him the then Gerrard to the right.

but on saturday borini and downing were practically hugging the touchlines.
if we are going to play a narrow 3 then suarez can play in one of the wide positions but if it`s going to be like saturday i agree with scott suarez is wasted out there.

[Raoul]

Scott just bevause he would be on the right side ( or left ) doesn't mean he is going wide - the width is provided by the full backs.

Go re watch the derby last year where Gerrard scored a hat trick - Carroll was the centre player with Suarez being to the left of him the then Gerrard to the right.

but on saturday borini and downing were practically hugging the touchlines.
if we are going to play a narrow 3 then suarez can play in one of the wide positions but if it`s going to be like saturday i agree with scott suarez is wasted out there.

I agree he is not a wide player, and a narrow front three would suit him much better. If Rodgers is committed to two wide players, then I'm not sure where Suarez fits. Probably where Gerrard played against WBA. But that doesn't sound right either does it?

I think there is room for a true wide player on one flank and Suarez on the other, if Rodgers is not just looking for width from the full backs. Regardless, Suarez isn't the finisher we need, but we need to play him, so I think it is a case of cutting your cloth accordingly.

[stmichael]

I've said for ages that despite being our best player that he'll also be our biggest problem. It's blatantly obvious that we're still not sure of how we want to use him to get the best out of him. I don't see him as a number 9 and the way we set up, we don't really play with a number 10. The problem that I see in playing him in one of the wide positions is that we would be neglecting one of his better attributes. You need to play him as close to the goal as possible. His dribbling and shooting, as horrible inconsistent as it is, is one of our very few ways of hurting teams, and the only way to change that is getting another player that can be considered as much as a threat. Unfortunately we probably won't do that as far as I can see.

[Redman in wales]

Shots in Box per goal 2011/12 (exclude pens, include blocked):

Rooney 4.1, Fletcher 4.6, RVP 5.2, Aguero 6.5, Suarez 9.5

Shots in Box per goal #EPL average for ALL players was 7.7

Highlights his lack of goal return for such a quality player.... (if highlighting was needed)

[bunglemark2]

I've said for ages that despite being our best player that he'll also be our biggest problem. It's blatantly obvious that we're still not sure of how we want to use him to get the best out of him. I don't see him as a number 9 and the way we set up, we don't really play with a number 10. The problem that I see in playing him in one of the wide positions is that we would be neglecting one of his better attributes. You need to play him as close to the goal as possible. His dribbling and shooting, as horrible inconsistent as it is, is one of our very few ways of hurting teams, and the only way to change that is getting another player that can be considered as much as a threat. Unfortunately we probably won't do that as far as I can see.

Agreed. If we had a Fowler, or an Owen, or Rush, or Aldridge.....a poacher who parked himself in the box to just "be" there, we'd have a much better goals for ratio over the past couple of seasons. As it is Suarez has to do it all by himself and it ain't working.
Much is made of this young lad Morgan, how he's not quick, won't beat 5 players and score you a goal, but is a poacher. I wouldn't suggest he's ready for the first team....but then again....I can't remember the last youngster to come through the Academy and slot into the first team with the impact that Owen or Fowler had. Doesn't look like Borini is that type of player either.
And Rodgers has made it clear he won't play Carroll in his Plan A approach.
Which leaves us exactly where we are now : all the expectation on Suarez to deliver the goods and quite simply he can't....

[Kenny Kan]

Here's a bit of the interview he's given today. This was from the Mirror:

"Yet he explains he signed because of his belief in the club and in the new manager, Brendan Rodgers.

“There were clubs that wanted to sign me, but my priority was always to stay and sign again with Liverpool, because I believe this club can win the Premier League if we do everything right,” he said simply.

“My decision was easy because the club stuck by me last season. They had trust in me because of the work I do on the football pitch, and what happened in the past is the past - it is over.

“I recognise the season wasn’t very good last time, especially in the league. A team like Liverpool always wants to be in the Champions League where it should be, but I still believe we can make it.

"My dream is to play there for at least one season with Liverpool.”

To do that, Liverpool will require goals from the man who is the pivot of their attack and the most important element in their forward play.

It is an area of weakness for Suarez in an otherwise sublime talent.

In keeping with his refreshing honesty he admits he - and only he - is to blame for his frailty in front of goal, so must do much better.

“The problem isn’t with anyone else - I am the problem," he said. "Missing chances is all down to me.

"I need to take my time more when I do have chances. Sometimes I am rushing at chances too much and I know the problem is mine.

“It is up to me to sort it out and to start scoring goals. That is what we have training for. I scored a lot of goals in Holland, but in Holland I scored a lot of lucky goals.

“If you look back on my goals in Holland you will see that, a lot of times, I didn’t even hit them properly, but they went in.

"If there is one thing that is missing in this country it is that bit of luck that can make a big difference. I am hoping that it will return and then I will score more goals.”"

--------------------------------------------

Unquote.

Perhaps players from more humbling backgrounds, realise, and have 'more' character traits of loyalty than others in today's game. Whatever, Suarez, didn't up and leave when he could have done - during a time when many LFC fans couldn't have "blamed" him for upping and leaving, given the ongoing abuse he's endured in England. I admire him for two reasons a) he had the bottle to face up to the s.hit he will endure. And more importantly b) the fact he acknowledged Liverpool FC and it's fans for sticking by him, and repaying that faith back.

He also, talks of missing his chances and he obviously know's his game well enough to realise he IS rushing his chances, 'it's his problem' once his worked on it and added a bit more composure there, he'll chip in with his share of goals.

I love Suarez, because he plays the game many kids (myself included when I was a kid) with such hunger, determination and enthusiasm.

[redalltheway36]

Here's a bit of the interview he's given today. This was from the Mirror:

"Yet he explains he signed because of his belief in the club and in the new manager, Brendan Rodgers.

“There were clubs that wanted to sign me, but my priority was always to stay and sign again with Liverpool, because I believe this club can win the Premier League if we do everything right,” he said simply.

“My decision was easy because the club stuck by me last season. They had trust in me because of the work I do on the football pitch, and what happened in the past is the past - it is over.

“I recognise the season wasn’t very good last time, especially in the league. A team like Liverpool always wants to be in the Champions League where it should be, but I still believe we can make it.

"My dream is to play there for at least one season with Liverpool.”

To do that, Liverpool will require goals from the man who is the pivot of their attack and the most important element in their forward play.

It is an area of weakness for Suarez in an otherwise sublime talent.

In keeping with his refreshing honesty he admits he - and only he - is to blame for his frailty in front of goal, so must do much better.

“The problem isn’t with anyone else - I am the problem," he said. "Missing chances is all down to me.

"I need to take my time more when I do have chances. Sometimes I am rushing at chances too much and I know the problem is mine.

“It is up to me to sort it out and to start scoring goals. That is what we have training for. I scored a lot of goals in Holland, but in Holland I scored a lot of lucky goals.

“If you look back on my goals in Holland you will see that, a lot of times, I didn’t even hit them properly, but they went in.

"If there is one thing that is missing in this country it is that bit of luck that can make a big difference. I am hoping that it will return and then I will score more goals.”"

--------------------------------------------

Unquote.

Perhaps players from more humbling backgrounds, realise, and have 'more' character traits of loyalty than others in today's game. Whatever, Suarez, didn't up and leave when he could have done - during a time when many LFC fans couldn't have "blamed" him for upping and leaving, given the ongoing abuse he's endured in England. I admire him for two reasons a) he had the bottle to face up to the s.hit he will endure. And more importantly b) the fact he acknowledged Liverpool FC and it's fans for sticking by him, and repaying that faith back.

He also, talks of missing his chances and he obviously know's his game well enough to realise he IS rushing his chances, 'it's his problem' once his worked on it and added a bit more composure there, he'll chip in with his share of goals.

I love Suarez, because he plays the game many kids (myself included when I was a kid) with such hunger, determination and enthusiasm.

i agree if every player showed the same hunger in every game as he did we would be much better off. Saying that would love to try the 4-3-1-2 formation with stevie in the hole and suarez and carroll or borini uptop/