S.A.S or S.O.S: Dangerous To Move Suarez To Accommodate Sturridge?
WITH the current form of Liverpool’s Luis Suárez and the sort of season he has had, some fans of the club are understandably worried about the consequences that playing Daniel Sturridge may have on Suárez’s game.
Luis Suárez has, unquestionably, seen a very productive spell playing at centre-forward for Liverpool but there can be no doubting that his game is much more versatile and adaptable than that of the newly signed Sturridge.
The player acquired from Chelsea is an out-and-out goal scorer who would be best suited by occupying the space in the middle. This reference point gives Suárez the freedom to roam the final third of the pitch and pick his channels to attack and exploit with his scintillating runs and dribbles.
Liverpool fans can expect to see a revised edition of Brendan Rodgers’ favoured 4-3-3 formation with the front three regularly featuring Suárez, Sturridge, and the final spot being filled by a winger such as Sterling or Downing. This will allow the Reds to fluidly vary their attacking threat in game while also stretching the width of the field and exploiting the space offered in the attacking third.
The attention from opposing defenders that Suárez is sure to garner will allow Daniel Sturridge to make runs at the defence and get in the space behind them. Furthermore, the addition of Daniel Sturridge in the centre of the attack will ease the weight on Suárez’s shoulders as the new addition will be keen to have more of the ball and won’t be afraid to take shots on goal.
As the old adage goes, ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’. Many will firmly believe that tampering with Suárez while he’s having such a run of form could be devastating. One need not look further than the performance of Suárez at his former club to find reassurance.
While at Ajax Luis Suárez played behind Klaas-Jan Huntelaar; a typical number 9. The statistics speak for themselves: 111 goals in 159 games for Suárez while playing behind Huntelaar and a combined 49 Eredivisie goals in 2007-08 for the pair.
While the difference in quality between Huntelaar and Sturridge can be argued, the fact that Suárez has had this experience should come as a reassuring sign to many Liverpool fans. If the Uruguayan was capable of playing in behind a finisher as one-dimensional as the Dutch international there is no reason to doubt the ability of Suárez to continue his form alongside of Sturridge. A player as talented as Luis Suárez will be able to adapt to an improvised position and continue to stamp his authority on the game.
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January 12th, 2013
pure stupidity to move Suarez who is in top form _ Sturridge not fit to lace suarez boots
January 12th, 2013
BR loves how Barcelona and Spain play and he loves tikka-taka (if that is spelt like that) and also loves the concept of total football.
I should then think that the front three should be able to play interchangeably and Downing/Sterling should step up in support of the strikers.
January 12th, 2013
BR might like the style but that doesn’t mean he is capable of getting it here .
Liverpool have looked more like Barnsley than Barca
January 12th, 2013
to be fare , i dont care where these 2 play , its a team effort if they put ego aside and work for liverpool football club , which they get paid a fortune to do , they’re pro footy players it can work it should work , im looking forward to seeing sturridge excel same as luis , come on you mighty REDMEN,,
January 12th, 2013
YNWA!!!
Realistic view.
January 12th, 2013
Sturridge should be sub . Just used as back up for Suarez , he isnt that good that id have him in first team
January 12th, 2013
we hav been crying out for another forward since start of season and now that we got one you want to put him on bench!!! he gives us sumthing we havnt had since tf went to chelsea sumbody to run behind and that will open up alot more room for suarez and sterling
January 12th, 2013
Agree.
January 12th, 2013
Shabba and Skibba SAS killa!!!!.
January 12th, 2013
I think Sturridge is ok for 25 min as sub not starter . There is a good reason why he never made it at City or Chavski you know
January 12th, 2013
i think sturridge should play from the off with suarez ,may give element of suprise
January 12th, 2013
what ever the team , i just want to see them all give 100% as we are more than capable to turn them over i know they have 21points more but weve played really good footy most times just need to score now and keep them out
January 12th, 2013
I honestly think the capture of sturridge is a great addition to our squad and should play from the start. He’s a young lad who’s got bags of pace and a keen eye for goal. He deserves a proper fair crack at it. Not sure if the current formation will work for us as i would say suarez playing behind him would be the best way to play them. If they can gel together then i cant see any reason for it not to work. We have all seen whT suarez can do in assists and i cant see any reason why sturridge cant do the same albeit not. as beautiful az the way suarez can. The only dilemma in my eyes is who do you drop from midfield?
January 13th, 2013
FFS – you wud swear we signed Messi by some peoples silly comments . For months peoples wer saying ‘sturridge is crap’ or ‘sturridge is not good enough ‘
now u all think he is fantastic . well sorry , he isnt !
not good enugh for city or chelsea , hardly anthing to get excited about
January 13th, 2013
No it’s people like you who are saying he isn’t good enough and hasn’t even started a game in the PL for us yet giving him no chance to prove himself. I will give him a chance and I think he will do well for us.
January 13th, 2013
Ive seen him loads , nothin special .
Of course everyone should give him chance , just sayin dont get carried away
every time we sign new player now its ‘this guys great’ or ‘hes gonna do this n that’ . just calm down n be realistic
if Sturridge was the biz , he wouldn’t be here , would he ?