Suarez- Proving the critics wrong one goal at a time

Marmite. The famous slogan claims that you either ‘love it or hate it’, although I know at least one person who simply likes the black savoury spread. Similarly, Luis Suarez seems to receive nothing but adoration from Liverpool supporters and solely contempt from rival fans.

Yet, as the boos get louder, the Uruguayan keeps getting better.

On the weekend, Norwich City supporters booed the Reds’ number seven. He responded by taking home the match ball after netting a superb hat trick, his first for the club. It was a prize he fully deserved after tormenting the Canaries defence' and goalkeeper John Ruddy throughout a 90 minutes only memorable for his eye-catching performance in front of 26,819 spectators at Carrow Road.

Liverpool's main problem this season, particularly in the Premier League, has been scoring goals. Title-chasers City and United have amassed double the amount of goals the Reds' have achieved while mid-table teams like Fulham and Norwich, and even strugglers Blackburn Rovers, have found the net on more occasions then Kenny's men.

As a £22 million striker, Suarez must accept his fair share of responsibility for those underwhelming facts. Unfortunately, the number seven hasn't replicated the goalscoring records he achieved at Ajax on Merseyside. During four years in Holland, he scored 81 goals in 110 appearances, managing an impressive 35 strikes in just 33 matches in 2009/2010.

He may be the Reds' top goalscorer, but that says more about Liverpool's other strikers than it does Suarez, as his total of 11 seems insignificant in comparison to the likes of Rooney, Aguero and Van Persie. However, the fact that he missed most of the winter fixtures due to an excessive eight-match ban he received for that incident with Manchester United's Patrice Evra, must be taken into account.

Like the rest of the squad, Suarez has been playing well but simply not scoring enough. He is a scorer of great goals rather than a great goalscorer. His skill and trickery is undoubtedly entertaining and impressive, but often a clinical finish is preferable to fancy footwork that ultimately leads to nothing. Of course, when he combines the two top-quality football results. For example, his curled effort from the edge of the box against Stoke City in the Carling Cup after nutmegging a defender was, up until Saturday, arguably his best goal for the Reds.

Crucially, his main strike partner is also entering a spell of good form. Andy Carroll may have been criticised vehemently in the press and by some supporters for the low return on the £35 million spent to buy him from Newcastle, but, with late winners against Blackburn and Everton proving his ability, the number nine could form a dynamic duo with Suarez in the short and long term.

If Luis Suarez can retain the quality of his goals while, more importantly, increasing their quantity, then Liverpool will have a world-class centre forward to build their attack around for many years to come.

YNWA