Luis Suarez hit 100 league appearances for Liverpool on March 1. A mark no one thought he would reach, with Suarez tipped to leave the Merseyside club last summer.
Suarez joined Liverpool in the 2011 winter transfer window for a reported fee of 26.5 million euros, roughly 36.4 million dollars.
The Uruguayan international has been followed by controversy for quite some time. For example, his hand ball to deny Ghana’s game-winning goal late in extra time in the 2010 World Cup.
In Nov. 2010, Suarez, who played for Ajax at the time, bit PSV’s Otman Bakkal on the shoulders, resulting in a seven game suspension by the league.
In Oct. 2011, Suarez was accused of racially abusing Manchester United fullback Patrice Evra. Suarez would go on to deny the claims. In Dec., the English FA found Suarez guilty of the charges and slapped him with an eight-match ban.
In April 2013, Suarez reverted back to his biting ways, taking a chomp at Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic. Suarez would be banned ten games, several of those games would spill over into the next season.
As if that wasn’t enough, Suarez wanted out of England in 2013, stating that the English media was pushing him out and was being unfair to him. Liverpool rejected bid after bid and ended up convincing Suarez to stay.
With Liverpool’s terrific start to the 2013/2014 campaign, Suarez signed a new contract in December.
It’s definitely been a rocky road, but it’s a road that has produced many magical moments, moments people will never forget.
Suarez is a unique type of player. A player that opposing fans thrive on hating, but admire his ability to bring the ball down with grace and finesse. His technique and intelligence on the ball is undeniably world-class.
He’s a pest. He never stops moving. No one wants to defend him and no one wants to deal with his constant off-the-ball movement.
He’s that fly at the family BBQ that keeps buzzing around your ear. Except this fly will take your hot dog, nutmeg you then chip your keeper in a matter of seconds.
Suarez is having a terrific 2013/2014 campaign, despite missing the first six games of the season and is worth the price of admission all by himself.
Suarez leads all of England’s top-tier in goals (24), and shares the top spot in assists (10) with Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, as well.
It’s been a career defining season, one that has propelled him to join the conversation alongside Messi, Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic as the world’s best footballers.
With Liverpool tipped as title contenders, there seems to be no reason for Suarez to depart the club anytime soon.
Champions League football seems imminent, the atmosphere around the club is one of the best I have seen in recent years, and Suarez is playing the best football of his career.
In 123 career appearances for Liverpool, Suarez has tallied 75 goals.
If Suarez continues on this path, he will etch himself into the hearts of Liverpool fans for eternity.
He will be with names like Ian Rush, Kenny Dalglish, Robbie Fowler and Roger Hunt.
The future seems bright for Liverpool FC despite their dark times in recent years, but the present is looking great with Luis Suarez, Liverpool’s #7.
Sports Minded 