Luis Suarez - best in the world?

There’s no doubt about it, Luis’ doing the business this year, and aren’t we all over the moon that he’s committed to doing so in a red shirt?  A relatively unmediated negotiation when you consider the contract size and profile of the player has provided Merseyside with a Christmas gift like no other. And what a response from Suarez, immediately providing a return on the investment put forward from the club by having a hand in all three goals in the 3-1 win over Cardiff. Ask anyone walking out of Anfield this weekend to describe Luis Suarez and whatever end they were sitting in, they would have agreed he is a world-class talent. But where does he stand when we compare him with the best?

When we think of world-class players, two names immediately spring to mind - Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Needing no introduction, these two players dominate football wherever they are mentioned. Even when surrounded by World Cup winners, Champions League winners and the most expensive player in the world, Ronaldo and Messi cast a shadow over every player that they rub shoulders with. Now football is a team sport, but when performances from a single player are week-in-week-out winning matches, it is natural that they will rise to the top and claim the majority of the glory. As Liverpool sit pretty in the league, the media will inevitably accredit the large part of this success to Suarez and his goals this season.

Going into the weekend, Suarez had netted seventeen times in eleven games; more goals scored this season than Tottenham. When you compare his stats to the world top two, he is showing he can mix it with the big boys as well. Suarez equals Ronaldo’s tally so far this season, though he has done so in four less games. Although many would think this is a better feat, the reason why Luis has had to sit these out certainly takes him down a peg or two, and is one thing that maybe stops him being top of the list of most sought after players.

Messi cannot get anywhere near Suarez in terms of scoring so far this term, having netted just eight times in the same amount of games, which is less than half the return by the ‘best player of all time’. However, it is not just goals that has prompted many to link Messi with this title, albeit subjectively. Messi’s slick playing style, his low centre of gravity, ability to run at players and retain the ball, his quick eye for a pass and ability to deliver, and to cap it off precise finishing all make the player one of the best. Could the description be used to describe Suarez? I can’t see too much that doesn’t fit. In fact the playing styles of both of the players are very similar; spectacular to see and very hard to play against.

So with a better goal per game ratio than both of the big two, and a playing style equally desirable, Suarez fits the bill. Even more impressive is the fact that he earns his crust in the Premier League. The best league in the world attracts the better players and in turn tougher opposition, making it harder to perform for any player out there on a match day. The results of this level of competition are being shown in the Champions League so far this term with all four English clubs into the knockout phases. When you look into the Spanish league there are only ever really two challenging teams, with the rest of the sides a class below. For the better players, it means that they are stretched less often, and have more opportunity to get goals and put in performances against opposition of a lower standard. Even when not playing at the top of their game, the likes of Ronaldo and Messi can put on a dominant display.

The one thing that separates the pair from our front man is the fact that they have provided their clubs with silverware. Although Suarez has had some success at Liverpool, a Premier League title or Champions League trophy is what is needed to really see him being placed up there. Pele has challenged Messi’s claim to the best player of all time with the amount of world cups that he has won. Again, it is a team sport, but when there is little to separate players in terms of performances, sometimes it comes down to who is the most successful. If things continue as they have been at Liverpool, maybe the club will find success this year. Suarez is certainly convinced of this, as although the contact he has been offered will have gone a long way to convince him to stay, plenty of other clubs would have given an equal package.

So in terms of best in the world, I think maybe still not quite, but if he continues as he is then at the end of the season it could be a debate that many more are having. For Liverpool, Suarez the best signing that Rodgers could have made this winter. Although others may suggest other players as being top signings, try taking Messi to Stoke away on a cold January evening and let’s see if he performs. Maybe he would, but Suarez is proven at this level, and the fact that he is performing as well as he is means that he is no risk at all as his performance become customary. As the rest of the world pays close interest, securing his signature is a massive statement to everyone.