Liverpool have a tough decision on their hands as to whether to keep Luis Suarez this summer or send him on his way. It is no secret that the Uruguayan has been a media nightmare at times for the Merseyside club. But the player is still interesting a number of top clubs, with the likes of Real Madrid, PSG and Arsenal all reported to be considering him.
However, he is nothing short of electrifying when he is at the top of his game. If the club are wanting to ensure they have a chance of breaching the top four this coming campaign they have to find a way to keep Suarez.
But Arsenal’s interest in Suarez should make Liverpool question whether it is worth cashing in on the Uruguayan star. After all, Arsenal are a side which although are consistently making the Champions League, their failure to challenge for the biggest titles makes one question how much of a step up Arsenal is from Liverpool. The Reds may ponder if they hold onto Suarez for another season, they could close in on Arsenal and make a concrete challenge for the top four, thus fulfilling Suarez’s desire to play in the Champions League.
One key way to ensure that the club can get the most out of Suarez, if they can fend off interest, is to change his primary position for the club from a central striking role to that of a left winger.
The Uruguayan could essentially be Liverpool’s version of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. His attitude in many ways has caused many critics to forget that he has natural abilities that resemble both of these players.
He has the ability to wriggle out of any situation with his ball skills and has accuracy both from distance and inside the 18 yard box. Additionally his vision and ability to pick out a pass is crucial to the type of pass and move style that Rodgers is continuing to develop at Liverpool.
Luis Suarez: Total Chances Created
The Reds have had trouble with quality on the wings in the past few seasons and moving Suarez to the left side would keep Daniel Sturridge involved in play. His new positioning would also force defences to spread more thinly at the back to cover the Uruguayan, thus creating more space in the central area of the attacking third.
That added space would increase the room to work for creative playmakers such as Steven Gerrard and Philippe Coutinho. Suarez’s speed would also allow him to slice through defences with his breaking speed off the wing, much in line with the style of both Ronaldo, and Messi, before the Argentine was used to cover the centre of attack in past seasons due to injuries to other players.
During his time in Holland, Suarez was used extensively in the wide areas for Ajax and his goal production did not suffer at all, but his assist returns were higher. Albeit the Eredivisie is no comparison to the English Premier League when you look at the depth of competition, but Suarez could potentially be even more lethal for the Reds out wide.
Having scored 30 goals in all competitions last season, defences will be preparing as to how to defend the Uruguayan as a central striker after his success last campaign. Moving him over will force Premier League defences to once again relearn how to defend Suarez from a different position.
Luis Suarez: Total Goals Scored
Playing Suarez on the left would also bring out the best in Daniel Sturridge. Although the former Chelsea forward only made 16 appearances for the Reds since joining the club in January, he scored 11 goals and provided five assists. It makes only good sense to shift the front line around to allow your best two forwards to be involved in the most number of matches.
Liverpool still have much to consider this summer, but keeping Suarez and making him into an even more dangerous weapon could see Liverpool seriously challenge for European qualification.
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