By David Douglas dedlfc
The new season brings with it the annual expectation that we can capture our former glories and justify gambling on a new manager with new ideas and football philosophies. One of the most vital cogs to Brendan Rodgers pending success at Liverpool is how he handles the enigma called Luis Suarez.
On his good days he is undoubtedly one of the very best players in world football and first came to prominence in this country through his displays in the last world cup and to have his silky skills representing our club is at times a great pleasure.
On his bad days such as the embarrassing controversy over the Evra race row and the non handshake. Suarez can be hot headed and a liability to his team mates as his eight match ban testifies. It cast a huge shadow over this great club which arguable may have gone a long way to costing Kenny Dalglish his position at his club. The player recently reignited the controversy with inflammatory comments about Man United.
The treatment he has faced throughout the Olympics when his every touch was booed was to be expected especially when one of the group games was based in Manchester at Old Trafford, although one cannot countenance the booing of any countries national anthem.
What we now face is a player at the crossroads of his Anfield career, he is currently being treated similarly to Cristiano Ronaldo when he came back from the World Cup of 2006 after his spate with England's Wayne Rooney, the test will be can Suarez raise his game to emulate Ronaldo who in the following season 2006/2007 broke 20 goals barrier for the first time at United and in doing so earned the begrudging respect of fans around the country (even my fellow Reds!) Although, in saying that Ronaldo paid tribute to Wayne Rooney and his work as his wing-man throughout that season and Liverpool's transfer targets will need to be out of the top drawer to help him flower to the extent I've mentioned above.
The booing he receives next season could hinder our drive towards a Champions League place, should his concentration be swayed to have an adverse effect on his game and thus a detrimental effect on the club's fortunes. Like many world-class players Suarez has tremendous belief in his own abilities and Brendan Rodgers man-management skills will be tested even before the start of the season to have the enigmatic waspish Uruguayan finely tuned for the new season.
I strongly believe that Suarez will also like Ronaldo before him raise his game despite the situation he has to overcome with the crowds across the country and have a fantastic season to show the strength of character that he has in abundance and drive us to a very respectable position in the league next season.
I guess and hope Suarez has learnt the lessons from yesterseason. Important that quality players show long term commirment to the club. One fan noted that it has been alleged that Suarez's wages have tripled to £120k per week. Another supporter mused "a rich reward for abusing Evra!".
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