El Pistolero

I want to discuss the conundrum that is Luis Suarez.

As a footballer his is one of the top players in the World.His ability to wriggle round, through packed defences is amazing. I particularly enjoyed the multiple nutmegs against Chelski in which him and Carrol destroyed John Terry.

The only thing lacking is a consistent finish. For all that he creates there isn't enough goals perhaps he was starting to come right at the end of the season with that sublime hat-trick against Norwich. Clearly he also need a better supply and understanding for those around him. The biggest thing for us is will we keep him? 

That brings me to the unsavoury side of not only his game but also his character. The excessive diving when tackled is a joke he has been robbed of legitimate fouls and a couple of pens because he is getting a reputation. I would say that there was less of of that towards the end of the season so maybe someone has had a word. It might be acceptable on continent and part of a South American players make-up but at Liverpool have higher standards and expectations than that.

Now to the real nub of what I am talking about here. His character or lack there of as some of his behaviour this season has shown. Clearly the main talking point is the racist allegations made by Patrice Evra during the Anfield game last October. These were subsequently upheld and Suarez was rightfully banned . Liverpool immediately vehemently defended him. This must have been down to Suarez's version of events which resulted in the Club's almost zealous backing of him. This reaching fever pitch at the away game at Wigan the players all chose to wear t-shirts emblazoned with his image. In hindsight this was clearly a disaster as in effect Glen Johnson was supporting a racist!

Once the hearing's findings were made public the Club's defence of Suarez looked even more bizarre and seemed to be based on one-mans word (Suarez) versus another's (Evra). Clearly the club felt that Evra, a man who has cried wolf before regarding racism, had less credibility than Suarez. Unfortunately that turn out not to be the case.

Suarez is a man who lies doesn't mind who that affects or makes look bad. So reluctantly we accept the ban and surprise surprise, one of the 1st game he is eligible for is the return League match at the theatre of delusions. Assurances were given by both clubs in the week prior to the game that there was no issue. Evra was happy that punishment was meted out and had no issue shaking the hand of his abuser. 

We were led to believe that Suarez would do the right thing and shake hands showing some contrition for his actions. Lo and behold Suarez again went back on his word and almost caused a riot. It riled Evra so much that in the 1st 20 seconds he went to clean Suarez out and possibly break his leg and fortunately for all concerned caught Ferdinand instead.

The end of the game saw another flash point when Evra went to celebrate in front of horde of travellers from around England ( Sorry ManUre fans) and was basically jumping up and down directly in front of Suarez. Again thankfully nothing happened.

Unfortunately what happened next was disgraceful. King Kenny squirming under the questioning of Jeff Shreeves. He seemed unaware of the non-handshake and his usually prickly nature took over and stupidly made comments about Suarez having no responsibility for the events of the day. Bizarre.

One wonders why the PR people or Head of Comms or whoever hadn't spoken to Kenny at HT and made him aware of the storm that was brewing and that he would be expected to address in his post match interview. all of this led to to Kenny Dalglish having to make a public apology on behalf of the club and retract his statements. An utter disgrace that one players lack of moral fibre led to the greatest icon our club has having to humiliate himself in public.

Ultimately this whole affair is probably why the Media man was sacked.

Worse still this allowed our biggest rivals to claim the moral high ground. Something that has never happened before.

Sith Lord Ferguson's comments about Suarez being a disgrace and that we should sell him may have held some weight were they not full of hypocrisy and uttered by a man who's Glass House was full of broken windows from the stones he throws at others from inside.

Cantona assaulted a fan, did he sell him?
Roy Keane admitted deliberately breaking Alf Inge Haaland's legs in his book - again no transfer
(Alf Inge Haaland never kicked a ball again and still walks with a limp).
Rio Ferdinand - Drug Cheat - No transfer.

So for me Luis Suarez need a huge attitude adjustment next season (if he is still with us). Sure he has signed a longer term deal and says he is committed but as we have seen if he is willing to look Kenny Dalglish in the eye and lie what sort of 'man' as we dealing with?


As mentioned lets hope he shows some character and gets headlines for the right reasons.

 I do think it was a contributing factor in our disaterous season which I have discussed in my previous post.

YMWA