da supremo：
da wazamba： Liverpool welcome back Luis Suarez last night for the visit of Tottenham Hotspur, as they look to get their push for fourth place back on track.
The Uruguayan hit-man has completed his eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, as well as a further one-game suspension for a gesture at the Fulham crowd, during Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat at Craven Cottage in December.
His return will serve as real boost for the Merseysiders who, despite excellent results in both domestic cup competitions, have seen their league form stutter in the absence of Suarez. The Reds have secured a meagre seven points from a possible 15 during his spell in the stands, finding the net just seven times. Only the inconsistencies of their rivals have kept the Anfield outfit within touching distance of the much-coveted fourth spot.
But now, with the return of their talismanic striker, there is once again an air of optimism around the club, with fans and players alike believing that a challenge for Champions League football is a genuine possibility.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]
And there could well be method behind the renewed confidence, with all of the pieces falling into place for Reds chief, Kenny Dalglish. The return of Suarez will finally enable the Scot to link up his first choice attacking trio, with Steven Gerrard back to full fitness and Andy Carroll beginning to find his feet, after some impressive recent displays. The two developed an exciting understanding initially, but injuries and suspensions have seen the skipper pushed into a deeper role, limiting his link-up play with Carroll. Now Suarez is once again available, Liverpool’s lack of cutting edge could well be addressed, with the Uruguayan’s ability to find space between the lines hinting at more fluid attacking displays.
Although he has been missed, Suarez’s recent rest from first team duties may well prove to have been a blessing in disguise. The month off will have come as a welcome break for the striker who has not had a full pre-season since 2008/09, at his former club Ajax. Uruguay’s recent successes on the international stage have restricted the 25-year-old’s recovery time, with the South Americans finishing fourth in South Africa 2010, and going all the way during last year’s Copa America. Although he has not looked jaded during the beginning of the campaign, burn-out remained a source of concern for the Anfield medical staff.
Perhaps the biggest source of optimism for the Reds remains the stability of their opponents during the end of season run in. Chelsea and Arsenal offer the most realistic challenge, but both are dogged by inconsistency, and face fixture pile-ups due to Champions League commitments. While the season’s surprise package, Newcastle, may fall away as a result of a lack of depth and experience at the business end of the season.
It’s obvious that the return of Suarez will have a positive effect on the Anfield club, and with other factors coming into place, King Kenny no longer has an excuse, it’s time for the Reds to deliver.
[ffcvideo file=’thefootballcoffeebreak_original’]