Rodgers: Suarez is ‘unplayable’

Liverpool 1 Newcastle 1

Better yet, if that unnamed player is a centre-forward, the Liverpool manager would be well advised to sign him in the January transfer window because the simple fact is that without the guile, drive and goals of Suarez, the fallen giants of English football would be in an even more dire situation than is the case this morning.

Down 1-0 at the interval, Liverpool benefited from a fine second half fightback inspired, almost single-handedly, by Suarez and featuring a stunning equaliser from him.

It was a recovery that should have brought Liverpool all three points and also cost Newcastle the services of captain Fabricio Coloccini, who was shown a straight red card after 83 minutes for a late and high lunge at Suarez which ended with the defender raking his studs down the back of the forward’s legs.

“I thought Luis was unbelievable,” said Rodgers.

“Coloccini got sent off because he was frustrated. He’s been a great defender for the last number of years for Newcastle but Luis is so bright and clever, and a world-class striker in that form really frustrates defenders. Luis wants to play every minute and we know he needs support. Hopefully we can add the type of player, the profile of player, we want to help us finish off the opportunities we’re making. If we do that, we will have a really exciting team.”

The second half display by Liverpool featured a stunning 68th minute equaliser from Suarez, his tenth of the season and an effort with a maximum degree of difficulty which the controversial forward made appear ridiculously simple. Suarez edged ahead of marker Coloccini to collect a long ball from Jose Enrique high on his chest, almost simultaneously rounding goalkeeper Tim Krul and rolling the ball into an open net.

“Luis is an absolute joy to work with,” gushed Rodgers.

“When we get a number of players in who can work off his qualities, it’s going to make us a real threat.

“His movement is so clever. He really is world-class. He was unplayable today — as he has been for most of the season.”

It was one of many second half chances carved out by Liverpool and, arguably, one of the more difficult but Rodgers’ side sorely needed that vast second half improvement after falling behind five minutes before the interval.

Yohan Cabaye struck in the 41st minute, a stunning finish that summed up the weaknesses at the back for Liverpool as Demba Ba broke through the middle and fed Hatem Ben Arfa down the right.

The winger beat Jose Enrique easily as he made his way to the by-line and pulled over a far post cross which the unmarked Cabaye had time to control before lashing into the roof of the goal past Brad Jones.

Shortly after his goal, Suarez showed even greater skill when he again tortured Coloccini, easing past him to the line and pulling the ball back for substitute Jonjo Shelvey who missed what was a glorious opening.

A frustrating second half was summed up for Coloccini seven minutes from time and one which left his manager debating whether there is any point in appealing his imminent three-match suspension.

“I’ve seen the sending off a couple of times on the video and it doesn’t look too clever if I’m honest,” said Newcastle manager Alan Pardew who also saw Demba Ba, Cabaye and James Perch all collect injuries. “But he was trying to stop himself to some extent so I want to speak to my secretary and decide whether to appeal.”

LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Jones 7; Wisdom 6, Skrtel 6, Agger 8, Enrique 5; Allen 7, Gerrard 6; Suso 5 (Shelvey 65, 5), Sahin 7 (Downing 74), Sterling 6; Suarez 9.

NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Krul 6; Anita 7, Taylor 6, Coloccini 5, Santon 6; Gutierrez 7, Perch 6 (Simpson 26, 6); Ben Arfa 8, Cabaye 7 (Ferguson 67, 6), Cisse 7; Ba 7 (Sammy Ameobi 49, 5).

Referee: A Taylor 6.