After a month of controversies, rumours and arguments, it is finally done; Luis Suarez has officially completed his transfer from Liverpool to FC Barcelona (as per LFC’s website). The fee is rumoured to be in the region of £75m, which many may argue is a steal when juxtaposed to Gareth Bale’s record breaking move from Tottenham to Real Madrid last summer, and will provide Liverpool with the funds they need to add the needed quality and depth to their squad in preparation for their return to the Champions’ League.
A sight many have become accustomed to see when watching the mercurial Uruguayan.
Losing a Goal Scoring Machine
The most immediate impact of Luis’ exit would be that Liverpool lose their star striker, and by extension, the goals and assists he provides. In 2013/2014, Liverpool scored 101 goals, with Suarez contributing directly to about 42.6% of them. That’s huge. Losing him without proper replacement would result in Liverpool’s much famed attacking prowess to take a huge hit, and famous victories would turn to frustrating losses in no time.
Many hope that this becomes the highlight of the famous Champions’ League nights in Anfield.
The Rise of Daniel Sturridge?
Daniel Sturridge was Liverpool’s star from the shadows last season; scoring 21 goals and adding a further 5 assists in the Premier League last season, and that was all while playing second fiddle to Luis Suarez as well as some time out due to injury. While Suarez was suspended for the opening 6 games of the season, Sturridge stepped up and became Liverpool’s star striker during the period – his 3 goals across the three 1-0 opening wins directly provided Liverpool with their first 9 points, and set the tone for the rest of the season. With Suarez leaving, Brendan Rodgers will no doubt utilise Sturridge as his main striker, giving him the opportunity to fulfil his talent and become the man to lead Liverpool’s attack, a job which I believe Sturridge will embrace and excel in.
Hopefully the next new face in Liverpool’s defence.
75 million pounds.
Liverpool owners FSG were already more than willing to provide funds for Rodgers to strengthen his squad, and this financial windfall gives Brendan his own transfer war chest. Colin Harvey of the Daily Mail believes Liverpool have £125m left to spend this summer with the sale of Suarez, having already added much needed depth in Emre Can, Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana. Add in likely transfers in Serbian wunderkind Lazar Markovic and Croatian rock Dejan Lovren, Liverpool look to have already made some very shrewd pieces of business. Rodgers doesn’t look like he’s done either, rumours of a final push for left back Alberto Moreno will finally provide long term cover for a problematic position.
After sitting back from the shock of losing their best player, Liverpool fans (myself included) will come to realise that no man is bigger than our beloved club. We dealt with departures of Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Michael Owen, etcetera, and we will deal with the departure of arguably our most talented player ever. I trust in the managerial nous of Brendan Rodgers, remain positive about next season, and look forward to the start of the 2014/2015 Premier League season.
FootyKicks 