First Name
|
Luis
|
Surname
|
Suárez
|
Squad Number
|
7
|
Position
|
Forward
|
Height
|
1.81m
|
Weight
|
81 kg
|
D.O.B.
|
24 Jan 1987
|
Town of Birth
|
Salto
|
Country of Birth
|
Uruguay
|
Nationality
|
Uruguay
|
Total Appearances
|
52
|
Total Goals
|
21
|
Luis Suarez became the latest player to wear Liverpool's famous No.7
shirt when he signed from Ajax on deadline day in January 2011.
The
Uruguayan was the first major signing made by our greatest ever No.7 Kenny
Dalglish upon his return to the dugout.
Suarez's debut
came as a substitute in a 2-0 victory over Stoke on February 2 - and it took
him just 16 minutes to fire his first goal at the Kop end.
An
audacious slalom through Manchester United's defence to set up a Dirk Kuyt goal
a month later further endeared him to Kopites and he is already well on his way
to becoming an Anfield idol.
The
Uruguay international has a reputation for being one of the deadliest marksmen
in Europe and is among a select few to have plundered more than a century of
goals during his time at the Amsterdam Arena.
His
impressive partnership with Diego Forlan was a feature of his country's march
to fourth place in the 2010 World Cup finals where he notched three goals in
six appearances.
However,
his superb performances were later somewhat overshadowed by a controversial
goal-line handball that saw him sent off in the dying seconds of extra-time in
their quarter-final clash with Ghana.
Suarez is a
huge hero in his homeland and is largely revered for his desire to see his
country progress, not to mention his ability to score important goals on the
big stage.
His rise
to stardom began in Uruguay's top flight when he made a vibrant start to his
career with Nacional.
In his
time with the Tricolores he struck 12 goals in 29 appearances and helped them
to lift the Primera Division title in 2006.
The
teenager's eye for goal immediately caught the attention of some of Europe's
top scouts and he made the move to Dutch side Groningen, where he continued to
find the net on a regular basis.
Having
made his mark on the Eredivisie, he was handed an international debut on
February 8, 2007 in a 3-1 win over Colombia. Unfortunately, his big day was
ruined when he was dismissed for a second yellow card five minutes from time.
Despite
this, it was clear that he was capable of performing at the highest level and
no one was surprised when Ajax swooped to secure his signature in a big money
move back in August 2007.
His time
with de Godenzonen was a mix of genius
and controversy as his superb strike-rate was only marred slightly by his knack
for picking up unnecessary cautions.
In his
first season he managed 20 goals in 40 appearances and continued to excel the
following year, picking up Ajax's player of the year gong.
The
2009-10 campaign would get even better as he helped the Dutch giants to the
KNVB Cup whilst firing 49 goals in all competitions to become the Eredivisie's
top scorer. It also saw him crowned Dutch Player of the Year as well as Ajax's
main man for the second year running.
His fine
form continued into the World Cup and speculation became rife that he could
move on to pastures new at the beginning of 2010-11.
A
transfer was not forthcoming, though, and his effort in a 1-1 draw with PAOK in
the Champions League third qualifying round ensured his name would stand
alongside the likes of Johan Cruyff and Marco Van Basten when he joined a
select few to have notched 100 goals for Ajax.
However,
a controversial incident involving PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkalsaw
saw him banned for seven matches and it was clear his career was now at a
crossroads.
A move
abroad looked on the cards and in the 2011 January transfer window Ajax reached
an agreement with Liverpool.
After an
explosive start to life in English football, Suarez helped Uruguay win a record
15th Copa America title in July 2011, scoring the opener in the final
against Paraguay to take his tally for the competition to
four. It surprised no one when he was voted player of the
tournament.
Suarez
would score 17 goals in 39 appearances during his first full season in
Merseyside, including the equaliser as Liverpool defeated neighbours Everton in
the FA Cup semi-final. Another highlight was a superlative hat-trick at Carrow
Road which included a 45-yard lob. He also ended the campaign with a League Cup
medal.
#WECOMENOTTOPLAY
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