FORMER Liverpool midfielder Craig Johnston has declared that in his opinion, Luis Suarez is the greatest Liverpool player of all time in an interview with The Weekend Australia.
“I know it will be controversial and cause a bit of a scene, but it is my opinion…Suarez is the best player to have ever worn a Liverpool shirt. My great hope, and for the sake of Brendan Rodgers and the club, is that the Liverpool owners do everything possible to keep Suarez. He is something very, very special.
“My assessment is based on what he brings to the team. He gets 5 per cent more out of the other players whenever he is on the field.”
Johnston then took a swipe at former Kop idol Fernando Torres. Pulling no punches, the Aussie slammed Torres’ attitude and compared him less than favourably with Suarez.
“Look at the contrast between him [Suarez] and Torres, who I call ‘the incredible sulk’.
“He was supposed to be our Golden Boy but he carried on like he never wanted to be there and like the other players were beneath him, like, ‘I’m not going to run for the ball because I’ve got blond hair and I’m too pretty and I’m a superstar’.
“When Kenny Dalglish came in, he got rid of him and brought in a guy who was animalistic about getting at the ball, winning it, going for goal and then trying to score or set up a teammate.
“It was the most amazing transformation of a football team I have seen in my life.”
Johnston went on to further praise Suarez’s never say die approach on the field but also condemned some of his previous actions that have brought bans his way.
“You cannot be racist, you cannot bite people,” he said. “What he did was unforgivable. But the people who crucified him have to understand the passion of the guy and his determination to help Liverpool win. Nobody has ever played with such passion and desire in English football, let alone for Liverpool. If we lose him, I think we’re in trouble.”
Craig Johnston’s words are sure to cause quite a stir amongst Reds and we’d like to hear if you agree with his assessment.
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He’s no Torben Peichnik
If not one of the best ever’weve had so many true greats but if luis leaves I will be as heartbroken as when Fernando left for sure 🙁
What has Craig been on? I think this shows why he’s never been a manager.
Spot on Craig. I agree with you fully.
He must be on crack if he thinks suarez has been a better player than steven gerrard.
Craig Johnston on the crack again. The man is deluded. Just because Suarez has talent, doesn’t mean he is any where near the best. That accolade should be reserved for great players with a long LFC career. Kenny, Stevie, Rush, Thompson, Neal, Hunt, the list is endless.
I think based on talent Suarez would be top 5. Nowhere near Stevie or Barnes yet
If he bases it purely on talent he’s among the top players along with Barnes, Gerrard, Dalglish, Keegan, Fowler.
If it’s based on service to the club Suarez doesn’t come in the top 50.
He’s just a great player losing would be big a great mistake for the club
I’m actually agreeing but to a certain extent. Suarez might not be the best player of Liverpool FC but I believe he is the best currently. I mean looking at the teammates, he is definitely world class compared to them. But if you wanna compare with the greats in the past teams, I believe that the whole team was good as compared to the team now.
Even Torres, who has Alonso, Gerrard and others(aurelio,kuyt,arbeloa,) to assist him in goals, who did Suarez relied on? Most of the goals was his own hardwork and some of his teammates goals were also assisted by him. (First half of season, FYI)
But it is awesome if he stayed though
Maybe greatest player but far from greatest Red. I think if we make champions league and he is still with us you will see an even better player. The way he went at Zenit at Anfield was incredible.
LS just needs to be treated for his animalistic behavior. H e is indeed a superb player and a life savior for LFC where goals are concerned. LFC must retain him at all cost.
plz dont let him go
No Mater what he is still my best player & I we luv 2 c him play 4 red again,never live us suarez plz we will miss u a lot
Rubbish… pure class no doubt… in all honesty, I will never forget the the very first replay after the bite… I just shaked my head and said, “Oh God, he just dug his own grave” followed by clear understanding of: “that is no way who you represent The Mighty Reds… Is with no doubt that he has is on his way to be one of the greatest… however the club needs to be treated with the out most respect, and represented with the same respect.
A great player for sure, the best striker in our team at the moment, but best ever??
The best player for us ever * in living memory” Dalglish..by a country mile. Undisputed.
If Suarez is still with us in a few years, maybe then that will change, but i am not clairvoyant. And i doubt it.
pls concerntrate on the transfer and stop suarez issue.buy martinez frm porto to replace suarez.dat guy is fanta bruta.
Suarez is great player but far 4rm greatest we all knw he gives all whenever he is playing but those animalistic behaviour should stop but my lfc player of all time still remains steven G…ynwa
How has he been better than Stevie G in red?! Suarez is world class don’t get me wrong but if we lose him tomorrow we will be fine. If we lost Stevie tomorrow lfc would be in big trouble. The legend that is Gerrard is gauruteed one of the biggest draws for players wanting to play for lfc, Suarez is just a bonus.
I think people would have talked of him in that way I the very near future and that with him and the new players they would have east got fourth next year and then witj out look with ground the out loo was very good I would beade up if he said I will stayat least toll next year and give the the media no opportunity and make them eat every word