Luis Suarez hit a stunning hat-trick this weekend for Liverpool. Was his strike partner’s absence the reason for his success?
When Kenny Dalglish bought Andy Carroll for £35 million, he had clearly envisaged him partnering Luis Suarez up front.
After more than a year, albeit hampered by injuries and suspension, the pair have clearly failed to hit it off.
Sure, both netted in the club’s 2-1 FA Cup semi-final over Everton at Wembley, but that has been the exception to the rule when they have started together.
Take last weekend’s 1-0 loss to Roy Hodgson’s West Brom, a miserable day for Liverpool. Both Suarez and Carroll started, gave it their all, but just could not make it happen.
It was the story of Liverpool’s season, which is why the 3-0 demolition of Norwich was like a breath of fresh air.
Suarez was superb, everything Liverpool supporters dreamed he would be when he arrived, and his 55-yard stunner is surely the goal of the season.
Did he prove he operates better without Carroll? Many would think so.
Dalglish played a 4-2-3-1 with Suarez supported by Bellamy, Downing, and Gerrard through the middle.
Steven Gerrard’s best position has long been considered at the attacking point of a midfield, and the formation suited him.
Where does Andy Carroll, missing with a groin injury, fit into this formation? Simple, he doesn’t.
To accommodate Carroll, Liverpool have to effectively play 4-4-2, and this usually means no place for Craig Bellamy, who has been among the club’s best players this season, despite his limited opportunities.
Of course it must be remember that Norwich were poor, they conceded six to Manchester City and even lost at Blackburn last week, but Suarez’ goals were a different class, and one wasteful second half effort aside, few teams would have lived with him on Saturday.
Now with a resurgent Chelsea on the horizon in the FA Cup final, equally buoyed by Liverpool old-boy Fernando Torres’ weekend hat-trick, manager Kenny Dalglish has a big decision to make.
Does he stick with the spark of this weekend and leave Carroll out of the starting line-up?
Or does he bring the striker back into the team, on the basis that he scored the semi-final winner? There are also Chelsea’s defensive problems to consider. Would Carroll exploit Jose Bosingwa if he is forced to play as a centre-back again?
The pairing didn’t exactly catch fire against Cardiff in the Carling Cup Final, nor pretty much any other game they have started together.
If Carroll does get a start in the cup final, he better take his opportunity, because if not, Dalglish may decide once and for all that Liverpool and Suarez are better off without him.
Was Carroll’s absence the reason for Suarez’s superb hat-trick?
image: © joncandy
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
