Liverpool’s unstoppable XI if they had re-signed Luis Suarez in ‘ideal’ summer swoop
Liverpool’s unstoppable XI if they had re-signed Luis Suarez in ‘ideal’ summer swoop
Liverpool were linked with a move for former striker Luis Suarez in the summer.
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Liverpool have started the season in sensational style and briefly moved to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday afternoon following their 5-0 thrashing of Watford. And they’ve had no problems finding the back of the net this season, with Jurgen Klopp’s side racking-up an incredible 22 goals in eight top-flight matches.
But this summer, Liverpool were linked with an ‘ideal’ move for Luis Suarez, who scored 82 goals in 133 games for the Reds during three-and-a-half years at Anfield before moving to Barcelona.
Suarez ultimately stayed at Atletico Madrid and has hit the ground running, striking five times in 10 matches this term.
Liverpool fans would have been in dreamland to see the Uruguay international returning to Anfield and Express Sport looks at the team’s unstoppable starting line-up if club chiefs had managed to secure Suarez’s signature for a second time.
Goalkeeper – Alisson
Alisson has been Liverpool’s rock between the posts since arriving at Anfield from Roma in 2018.
The 29-year-old is well aware of Suarez’s threat, having faced the forward twice for Brazil.
Alisson kept Suarez at bay the last time the duo came head-to-head on the international stage three years ago, as Brazil ran out 1-0 winners in a friendly.
Luis Suarez was linked back to Liverpool last summer (Image: GETTY)
Defence – Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson
There wouldn’t have been any changes in the backline if Suarez had returned to Anfield, but the pacy striker would have been licking his lips at the prospect of playing alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.
Liverpool’s full-backs would have produced a plethora of chances for the 34-year-old, courtesy of their mesmerising crosses and set-piece deliveries.
Suarez scored 31 Premier League goals during his final season at Liverpool but, with the team now much more dominant than they were during the player’s spell at Anfield earlier in his career, the Uruguayan would have been confident about getting close to that figure once again.
Meanwhile, Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk would have lined-up at the heart of the Reds’ defence.
Midfield – Fabinho, Thiago
Liverpool boss Klopp may have had to move away from his favoured 4-3-3 formation to accommodate Suarez and could have run with two defensive midfielders as part of a 4-2-3-1 set-up.
Fabinho would have been asked to play in his usual role and been tasked with breaking up opposition attacks and protecting the back four.
The Brazil international went head-to-head with Suarez just last week as his country defeated Uruguay 4-1 in a World Cup qualifier.
The 27-year-old could have played alongside Spain international Thiago in the new formation to give the Liverpool forward line a license to thrill.
Forwards – Salah, Jota, Mane; Suarez
Liverpool’s forward line is pretty special as it is, but the addition of Suarez would have left supporters purring.
Mohamed Salah has been in scintillating form this season and would have likely welcomed the opportunity to play alongside the world-class forward.
The duo would have no doubt been able to combine for a string of goals if given the chance.
Salah would have lined up on the right side of the forward line, with Sadio Mane causing his usual mayhem from the left. Diogo Jota, meanwhile, may have been named in a number 10 role just behind Suarez.
That would have left the false nine role open for Suarez, who could have been employed to create space in the opposition penalty area and finish chances when they came his way.
