There is no question that Luis Suarez ranks among the top strikers Liverpool have seen in recent times.
The partnership he built with Daniel Sturridge was something special, with both players often taking the weight of the team on their shoulders.
Even though he played a huge role in Liverpool’s near title win under Brendan Rodgers, Jamie Carragher has said there were two teammates who were technically better than him.
That may surprise some fans, especially given how memorable Suarez was during his time at Anfield, despite occasionally crossing the line.
Suarez played 133 times for the club, scoring 82 goals and adding another 32 assists. He spent most of his time leading the line as Liverpool’s number nine, though he did fill in on the right wing a couple of times.
The numbers speak for themselves, but beyond just finishing, Luisito’s creativity was also a key part of his game.
That makes it even more surprising that Jamie Carragher believes Jan Molby and John Barnes were more technically gifted than the Uruguayan legend.
Speaking on The Overlap Podcast, the former centre-back explained: “When I played at Liverpool, and obviously I’d say Steven Gerrard’s the best player I played with, but when I first got into playing for the reserves if you like, and then I finished what it was 20 years later, there wasn’t any player in that 20 years technically better than Jan Molby and John Barnes.”
“No what I’m saying is 20 years later, and I agree with you the game has become more technical the pitches are better we play more from back,” he continued.
“Imagine we play now. I think great players of any era could have played in any era.
“That’s my view, the absolute elite. But when I think I played with Alonso or Suarez or Steven Gerrard, they still weren’t technically as good as two of those players who were playing in mid-80s.”
There is no denying that signing Suarez turned out to be one of the best moves Liverpool have made in recent times.
He played a big role in helping the club move forward, even if he did not lift a trophy during his stay. His influence was clear on and off the pitch.
He arrived during a tough spell for the club, but it is no coincidence that Liverpool started to believe again soon after he came in.
Of course, Jurgen Klopp drove most of that change, but Suarez played an early part. Without his impact, who knows if players like Mohamed Salah would have been as eager to join later on?
Liverpool fans will be hoping that Alexander Isak or Hugo Ekitike can have a similar influence by the time their careers at Anfield are over.
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