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How Do You Solve A Problem Like Suarez?

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Suarez in action for Liverpool last season

Suarez in action for Liverpool last season

For a scarcely believable third time, Luis Suarez has been found guilty of biting an opponent and the latest punishment is a ban from all footballing activity for four months, along with a nine match international ban, a stadium ban and a fine of roughly £65,000.

This time, the opponent was Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini, who unfortunately joins a growing list of names who have felt Suarez has bitten off more than he can chew. Only just over a year ago, all Liverpool fans will remember the 10 match ban for his clash with Branislav Ivanovic against Chelsea at Anfield, while longer memories will recall his first bite on PSV’s Otman Bakkal, while still playing for Ajax.

At the time of writing, Liverpool have just released a statement saying they will review FIFA’s report on the incident before commenting further, but so many of the club’s major figures will be almost sick inside.

The extent to which Suarez has dragged Liverpool into the mud yet again might even have Shankly turning in his grave.

However, no one will be more disappointed than Brendan Rodgers. After the debacle of last year, with the long running transfer saga with Arsenal, the solitary training and the Ivanovic ban, Suarez came back to have his best season yet and almost lead Liverpool unexpectedly to their first title in 24 years.

Rodgers had a major part to play in that, and it looked like Suarez had been revitalised and rehabilitated, to such extent that his ‘archenemy’ – the press – and fellow players showered him with personal player of the year awards.

Yet we were all mistaken, perhaps blinded in our hope that Suarez had turned over a new leaf for good and it would just be his football that did the talking from now on.

Most psychologists were completely unsurprised, with Dr Tom Fawcett of Salford University telling the BBC that it was ‘highly predictable because of his past history’ and that he could react in the same way time and time again.

Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that during the ban (assuming any appeal carries no weight, which it should not) Suarez seeks psychological help. This type of behaviour cannot be tolerated and hardly sets him on the path to his goal of becoming a role model.

Luis Suarez scoring for Uruguay against England

Luis Suarez scoring for Uruguay against England

If he wants to achieve that, biting people is not the way forward.

His upbringing – learning the game as well as survival at the same time virtually on the streets – is a likely factor behind his antics. Additionally, people in South America have barely raised an eyebrow at this incident, compared to the outcry in Europe, because they have a different kind of moral compass.

Nevertheless, this is not want we want to see in football. Yes everyone wants to win, but there is a moral ground which should not be exceeded.

And Suarez has done it not just one, or twice, but three times. No more.

Now many eyes will turn towards Liverpool in anticipation of their reaction to the latest Suarez saga. Has he run out of lives or will he be given another chance?

Whilst it is hard to justify to kids that your best player is someone who goes round biting opponents, there is very little morality in football. At the end of the day, Suarez is Liverpool’s best player and the only undisputed world class operator at the club.

He could be the difference between the Reds making that final ultimate step towards the title or slipping back out of the top four.

Realistically, there are two options. The first is that Liverpool wash their hands of Suarez. There will likely be many in Liverpool’s upper echelons who will advocate this, perhaps even John W. Henry, who right now might be permanently wondering what Suarez is smoking, let alone Arsenal.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have been heavily linked in recent weeks with a move, with figures ranging from £50 to £100 million, along with several players in swap deals, such as Pedro and Alexis Sanchez (who is reportedly on his way to Anfield regardless according to Anfield great Phil Thompson).

It is unlikely they will be put off by recent events, although it would not help Barcelona in their attempt to rebuild their ‘more than a club’ image after the problems with Neymar and various allegations of tax evasion.

Rodgers could use the money from any Suarez deal to bring in two or three world class players, perhaps in other areas he was already looking to strengthen but also a replacement to carry the goalscoring burden with Daniel Sturridge.

However, barring a gem of the century, it is highly improbable that Liverpool will be able to find anyone out in the market that could match the skill set of Suarez. Rodgers would almost certainly have to change the set up of the team as they share more of the responsibility without the Uruguayan.

Nobody could've predicted what Suarez would do days after consoling his captain

Nobody could’ve predicted what Suarez would do days after consoling his captain

Furthermore, Liverpool would also need to be careful that they avoid the same trap as Tottenham, with many replacements for just one in Gareth Bale, only for there to be too much change too soon.

The other option is to keep Suarez and wait out the ban, knowing that at least he will be fresh for the rest of the season for Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League commitments.

Bans aside, Suarez has played an awful lot of football in recent years for club and country, representing Uruguay in the Confederations Cup and the Copa America as well as playing the majority of games when available for Liverpool.

He would have to receive psychological sessions during his time out of the game, as well as developing a independent training regime that retains his sharpness, as he is forbidden to train with Liverpool during his ban.

Either way, it is unlikely Liverpool will come out of this looking good. However, if there is a chance that his aggression can be addressed, it has to be taken over the next four months.

Given the ability of Suarez, probably the third best player in the world, Liverpool should take that chance, although there should be no surprise or blame attached to the Reds if they finally decide to end their association with such a gifted, but controversial character.

Liverpool stuck by him last time and they were paid back in spades. Now, in an even graver situation, the rewards for a permanent fix could be far greater.

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2 comments

  • Dave abrahams says:

    Whether he stays or goes he will always have one more
    Bite left in him, always he is a creature , in every sense, of
    Habit.Liverpool fans, god help them deserve much better than
    Suarez,he is the auther of his own misfortune.

    Barcelona or whoever signs him will rue the day.

  • Roger says:

    He is born predator. You can train and control him but his nature can never be hidden. That’s what makes him so special. Just like the last time. Control him, make him work harder and unleash him hungrier than before. The ban might be a blessing in disguise. His knee surgery will take timeto recover completely. He was playing below his standard at the WC. Let him recover and clear his mind. He will terrorize LFC rivals again.

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