Throughout this week, Marco Lopes uses the success of Liverpool’s 2013/14 campaign to dispel seven different myths and claims about the club, players, manager and owners.
2. Liverpool are a one-man team
Of course, by the time Suarez had started pummeling the back of goal nets across the country with audacious goals and regal footwork, suddenly the rival armchair experts communed into their usual sanctuary of journalism by lamenting Liverpool’s over-reliance on the Uruguayan.
It’s an obtuse criticism of course – obviously teams need their superstars to reach their respective heights. Of course Real Madrid is short of firepower without Ronaldo, or Barcelona without Messi.
But the notion of being a one man team was hardly vested in truth. Liverpool’s first 9 points were carried on the waves of the goals of Daniel Sturridge while Suarez dealt with the remainder of his ban for playing Walking Dead with Branislav Ivanovic.
Crucial wins over Fulham (3-2) and Manchester City (3-2) where Suarez did not score, that nonetheless maintained the team’s meteoric momentum over a fable of 11 consecutive league wins.
Then consider the work around him. Henderson’s pressing. Allen’s ball retention. Gerrard’s playmaking. Mignolet’s shot-stopping.
There’s no disputing Suarez’s importance. But it takes a fool to ignore that the season’s achievement, in the words of the PFA Player of year himself, is attributable to both the team and the player.
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