Luis Suarez extended his hot scoring run with a double on Sunday as Liverpool overwhelmed 10-man Tottenham 5-0 to go within two points of the English Premier League summit.
On the day he captained Liverpool for the first time, Suarez took his tally to eight goals in three games and helped to set up the other three goals by Jordan Henderson, Jon Flanagan and Raheem Sterling.
It was a scintillating way for Liverpool to end a five-game losing streak at White Hart Lane and win away for the first time since September 29 at Sunderland.
“We were like animals,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said.
Assuming the armband from the injured Steven Gerrard indicated that Suarez has completed his rehabilitation from bans for racist abuse and biting, and antagonising fans by pushing for a transfer during the summer.
Suarez may well be relieved that Liverpool wouldn’t sanction the move to Arsenal, with the London club only a place and two points ahead at the top of the standings after losing 6-3 at Manchester City on Saturday.
Suarez has 17 goals in a season that only began in late September as he completed the 10-game biting ban.
Such potency in just 11 games contrasts with Tottenham’s ineptitude in front of goal. Tottenham have scored only 15 times in 15 league games and couldn’t even muster a shot on target against the second-place visitors.
As Tottenham struggled to cope with the speed and intensity of Liverpool’s attack, Suarez took just 17 minutes to open the scoring.
Henderson volleyed in another before halftime, following up after Suarez was denied by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Any hopes of a Tottenham comeback were thwarted by Paulinho being sent off in the 63rd for sinking his boot into Suarez’s ribs.
Suarez then set up Flanagan for Liverpool’s third, found the net again himself in the 84th and fed the ball for Sterling to complete the rout five minutes later.
“I am a striker so I try to score, but most important was the performance of the team,” Suarez said.
stanofheart
Guest
Suarez for heart,now that would be something
miroaust
Guest
I forgot to add, Uruguay won the South American Championship last year and Player of the Tournament was you know who. So why do Engalnd think they will get past the South American champions? Forget their CONCACAF qualifying form. Uruguay regularly finish 5th their. But they show up when they have to. England have no chance getting out of their group past Italy and Uruguay.. Sorry a bit off message, but its all about Suarez.
miroaust
Guest
Roy Hodgson was in the crowd. Suarez will destroy England in Brasil. Does better without the selfish Sturridge getting in hid way. He will smash all records this season with 40+ goals. Rodgers is very lucky and Suarez has carried him. If Luis did this under Kenny Liverool would have been top 4 easily. Luis Suarez is the best ever in the EPL and if he stays he will top all the records of Shearer, Henry et al.