CARDIFF, WALES - Saturday, March 22, 2014: Liverpool's Luis Suarez celebrates scoring the sixth goal against Cardiff City during the Premiership match at the Cardiff City Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

How the Football World Reacted to Luis Suarez’s Liverpool Departure

With the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona finally confirmed, we take a look at how the world reacted on this announcement.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 16, 2014: Liverpool's Luis Suarez celebrates scoring the third goal against Manchester United during the Premiership match at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The news has finally, officially, broken— Luis Suarez is set to move to La Liga side Barcelona this summer, for a fee reported to be in the region of £75 million.

Likely the biggest transfer of the summer, reaction has been widespread since announcements were made, from fans to players to journalists.

 

The Club

Ostensibly primed long before the announcement, Liverpool’s official statement regarding the sale of their Uruguayan maverick was refined and understated:

“We would like to thank Luis for his contribution and the role he played in helping bring Champions League football back to Anfield.

“Everyone at Liverpool Football Club wishes Luis and his family well for the future.”

 

The Journalists

Elsewhere, journalists and media-types have had their say on the deal, with the consensus focusing on thanking the striker for his phenomenal contribution over the past three-and-a-half seasons.

This is perhaps most succinctly summed up The Times’ Oliver Kay:

Andy Hunter, of The Guardian, believes memories of the Uruguayan will endure as of one of a flawed genius.

“Suarez leaves glorious, gory memories and with a reputation as one of Anfield’s finest talents minus the character to match.”

Chris Bascombe, writing for The Telegraph, questioned whether the player will receive the adulation he did at Anfield at his new club:

“Liverpool should admit it. Loud and proud. They will really miss Luis Suarez. But give it time, and there is every chance Suarez won’t half miss Liverpool.”

David Triggs and Joe Rimmer, writing for the Liverpool Echo, stress that no player in Liverpool history has been irreplaceable: “for every Suarez there is a Kevin Keegan, an Ian Rush or a Fernando Torres.”

 

The Players and Managers

At the other side of the critical spectrum, former players and managers weighed in with their opinions on the transfer of Suarez, with more widespread praise on the agenda.

Former Reds No. 9 Robbie Fowler showcased his usual acerbic wit, referencing perhaps Suarez’s biggest adversary throughout his Premier League tenure…

 

The Norwich Keeper

https://twitter.com/Johnruddy86/status/487588779201667073

 

Fans

Perhaps the biggest reflection of the impact Suarez’s sale had on the world upon its announcement is the reaction of the everyday football fan.

Once more, the majority of the attention was focussed on praising the contributions of the 27-year-old.

https://twitter.com/Robish13/status/487562251113873409

https://twitter.com/Kop305/status/487566133382631424

However, some perhaps struggled to come to terms with the loss of one of the club’s greatest ever players.

https://twitter.com/liverpooldeep/status/487570592288477184

Others paid more interest in the financial impact of Suarez’s sale, with the reported £75 million considered an exceptional return for a player signed for £22.4 million in January 2011.

 

The Stats

 

Brendan Rodgers

Football - FA Premier League - Cardiff City FC v Liverpool FC

The man who has proved vital in this development of investment is Suarez’s now former manager, Brendan Rodgers.

In his official statement on the club’s loss, Rodgers expressed his gratitude for the Uruguayan’s immense contribution with typical nuance.

However, in typically pragmatic fashion, the Ulsterman set his sights on the future for the club with great optimism.

The sale of Suarez is clearly a significant loss for Liverpool, but one which Rodgers clearly believes can be rectified this summer and beyond.

 

The Future

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 11, 2014: Liverpool's Luis Suarez with his daughter Delfina and son Benjamin after the Premiership match against Newcastle United at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

With the majority of reaction positive, focussing on the goals and performances of Luis Suarez—particularly in his past two seasons under Rodgers—it is importance to indulge on this sale the unique talents of the 27-year-old.

Responses of the club and manager exude considerable gratitude on the loss of a genuine, world-class talent.

https://twitter.com/MostarLFC/status/487573570583678976

Luis Suarez is clearly a vast talent lost, but £75 million is clearly a vast sum gained.

It is important that the focus is on the positive contributions of Suarez in a Liverpool shirt, and towards the development of the club without him.

Will Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool cope without Luis Suarez? Let us know in the comments below.

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments