Suarez’s Absence May Prove Timely

WITH so little to play for after one win in five, Liverpool are looking like having another season without European football – which is hugely disappointing.

However, with the impending absence of our top-scorer/best player/talisman/probably only genuine world-class player (on current form), you have to admit that things have taken a down turn since Sunday.

We all knew that Suarez was likely to receive a lengthy ban, but I think you’d be a liar if you didn’t admit you’d have hoped he’d get off with it but either way, we’ve got two pretty tough games starting with Newcastle away – although Liverpool are 3/1 with Ladbrokes to beat Newcastle – and Everton at Anfield, whilst there are two games that are eminently winnable, but are likely to be made much tougher by Suarez’s absence (Fulham away before QPR at home).

There has rarely been a game this season when we haven’t had Suarez either starting or coming off the bench to save us. The fact that his 30 goals this season alone make up near enough 40% of the 88 goals the Reds have scored in all competitions is an incredible statistic. Add to that his 11 assists in all competitions and it paints a picture of a fantastic player and yes, a more-or-less, one-man team.

With both Sturridge and Coutinho added to the squad in January, things have improved, with the pair contributing 8 goals and a handful of assists since arriving. The captain’s upturn in form since late last year has helped a great deal also, but there is little else in the way of goals coming from the rest of the team, and I believe we will struggle Suarez’s absence.

I do believe it’s a good thing though.

For one, it’ll show us what these players are made of. We may well get an idea of who is willing to stand up and be counted and we’ll find out whether there really is life after (or without) Suarez, as talk from sources such as The Guardian persist that he may be driven out of the country.

It’ll also show us what the manager is made of too. So many times this season Luis Suarez has saved the team but on more than a number of occasions he has saved Rodgers’ too. I also don’t think it’d be a lie to say that he may well also have saved Rodgers’ job for him this season, as with that almost 50% goals/assists contribution, this season would’ve turned out even worse.

Trust me, if we could have Suarez for the next four games (and until kingdom come), I’d bite your hand off but his absence may well bring home a few truths and leave us in much better standing, not to mention a much better idea of what we need to do to improve in the summer, once the season has ended.

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