Liverpool Comment: Luis Suarez, The Best Striker in the Premier League

What is it about Luis Suarez that makes him one of the most successful strikers in the Premier League, let alone the world? It can be summed up by these qualities: His tenacity, will to win and, most importantly, his knack for goal.

The Uruguayan currently leads all Premier League scorers with 21 in in 27 EPL matches, and does not look like slowing down anytime soon.  When we think of a typical striker we think of one with pace, and one that is technically sound in front of goal.  Well, Suarez encapsulates both of those requirements and his desire to not only defend but single-handedly reinvigorate not only Liverpool but Anfield into believing week in and week out.

The 26-year-old bagged a treble in Liverpool’s recent 4-0 thumping of Wigan Athletic at the weekend. With about ten matches left in the EPL season, Suarez’s goal output will be crucial to see Liverpool return to European competition next season.

Although originally undertaking a negative reputation with racist incidents against Patrice Evra and, of course, the “hand of God” against Ghana in the World Cup, he has since seemed to let his feet do the talking.  After securing his latest hat-trick his manager Brendan Rodgers was quite keen on indicating that Suarez could be in the running for player of the year (via The Independent):

If I look across the board this is a guy who had to play alone up front because he was the only striker we  had for nearly six months and never missed a day’s training and played every minute of every game.

Now that Suarez has a strike partner in newly-acquired Daniel Sturridge, it may ease the pressure off of his back; however, the 26-year-old continues to offer the brunt of Liverpool’s scoring.

His conversion rate has been nothing short of brilliant this season, even more difficult considering that he is the focal point in Rodgers’ starting XI on a weekly basis, which opponents are quite aware of.  Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has continued to light up the scoresheet, but with the depth at Sir Alex Ferguson’s desposal, he has more luxury to rest his number one striker.

Most importantly, Luis Suarez is a striker who creates something out of nothing.  He plays the role of both creator and benefactor for Liverpool while also linking himself to the midfielder, and the likes of Joe Allen, Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva.  As he serves as the link between himself and the midfield, Suarez can actively engage himself more throughout the match and, as we all know, the more touches the better.

Often criticized with the plethora of chances that go awry, it is clear that without his tenacity and willingness to take on the scoring role, Liverpool would not be as well-off as they are currently.  His passion rivals as one of the best in the world, and with continued ambition it will come to no surprise if he is to surpass thirty goals this season en route to claiming EPL player of the year.