Suarez deserves to be Player of the Year, but he must battle Sturridge, Gerrard, Sterling and Henderson to be voted Liverpool No 1

By Dominic King

PUBLISHED: 03:35 EST, 18 March 2014 | UPDATED: 06:00 EST, 18 March 2014

Awards season is approaching and Luis Suarez should be primed to make some space in his trophy cabinet for the prizes that are sure to come his way.

After moving his tally for the current campaign on to 25 on Sunday, when sealing the momentous 3-0 win at Old Trafford, Suarez’s odds to be crowned the PFA Player of the Year contracted further.

It is highly likely he will double up, too, with the Football Writers’ gong. Nobody in the division can match his potential to produce the spectacular.

VIDEO Scroll down to see Suarez's doppelganger, Sturridge rap and Henderson and Sterling

Main man: Luis Suarez celebrates scoring Liverpool's final goal in their 3-0 win against Manchester United

Main man: Luis Suarez celebrates scoring Liverpool's final goal in their 3-0 win against Manchester United

Clinical: Suarez bends the ball beyond United keeper David de Gea late on at Old Trafford

Clinical: Suarez bends the ball beyond United keeper David de Gea late on at Old Trafford

Tricky customer: Suarez uses his skill to beat Phil Jones (left) inside the box

Tricky customer: Suarez uses his skill to beat Phil Jones (left) inside the box

All smiles: Suarez celebrates his goal in front of the travelling supporters at Old Trafford

All smiles: Suarez celebrates his goal in front of the travelling supporters at Old Trafford

 
 

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All things being equal, he should complete a clean sweep by receiving Liverpool’s own Player of the Season trophy and not too many people would argue about that, given how spell-binding the Uruguay striker has been since he returned to action in September.

Or would they?

It says everything for the way Liverpool have been playing that Suarez probably faces more competition for the in-house accolade than he does for the trophies that will be presented later this spring.

Think about it. What would your shortlist be for the PFA award? Eden Hazard would have to be in there, John Terry also. Aaron Ramsey had a spectacular start to the season but has not been sighted since Christmas, while Sergio Aguero has suffered with injuries also.

Essentially, Suarez has two strong rivals to be crowned the PFA’s top performer but at Anfield you could possibly double that figure, given how many players have contributed to this unexpected surge for the championship.

First there is Daniel Sturridge. In an ‘ordinary’ year and without Suarez at the club, his achievements would be screamed from the rooftop. He’s got 18 goals in the Premier League, will go to the World Cup as England’s top gun yet Suarez’s brilliance means he is not even Liverpool’s main man.

On the run: Daniel Sturridge gets away from United midfielder Michael Carrick

On the run: Daniel Sturridge gets away from United midfielder Michael Carrick

Going down: Sturridge draws a foul from Nemanja Vidic to win Liverpool's third penalty against United

Going down: Sturridge draws a foul from Nemanja Vidic to win Liverpool's third penalty against United

Catch me if you can: Sturridge races ahead of Vidic during Liverpool's victory

Catch me if you can: Sturridge races ahead of Vidic during Liverpool's victory

He is a player bursting with confidence – as illustrated with some of the back-heeled flicks and tricks that he aired at Old Trafford – and his importance to Liverpool cannot be understated; there is little doubt Sturridge would secure a percentage of the vote.

Yet so, too, would Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson. The progress they have made over the last 12 months is a prime example of Rodgers’ work as a coach, he has instilled tactical discipline and understanding and harnessed their ability.

They are making impacts in the games that matter now and have long since quelled any doubts over whether they could play a long-term role for Liverpool. Sterling has been barely put a foot out of place since breaking back into the team on December 1. Henderson has been similarly consistent.

Midfield engine: Jordan Henderson tussles with United striker Wayne Rooney

Midfield engine: Jordan Henderson tussles with United striker Wayne Rooney

Wise words: Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers speaks to Raheem Sterling after his side's win

Wise words: Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers speaks to Raheem Sterling after his side's win

Speed demon: Sterling (left) beats Carrick for pace at Old Trafford on Sunday

Speed demon: Sterling (left) beats Carrick for pace at Old Trafford on Sunday

In form: Henderson celebrates with Suarez after the Uruguayan's late goal

In form: Henderson celebrates with Suarez after the Uruguayan's late goal

There are four candidates and that is without even mentioning the captain. Rodgers has devised a system to get the best out of Steven Gerrard and it is working a treat; he is Liverpool’s quarterback, the man who has been responsible for setting the tone since the turn of the year.

Gerrard has been revitalised, looks fit and strong, and you sense that his influence will become even stronger over the next nine games. He is Liverpool’s standard-bearer, the beating heart of this charge to an end a 24-year wait to be England’s best.

If the ultimate dream does come true and Liverpool are crowned champions, it would be inconceivable if Gerrard does not command significant backing when the votes are counted out to determine who has been the standout.

Sealed with a kiss: Steven Gerrard kisses a camera after scoring his second penalty of the afternoon

Sealed with a kiss: Steven Gerrard kisses a camera after scoring his second penalty of the afternoon

Spot on: Gerrard opens the scoring with a pinpoint penalty in the first half

Spot on: Gerrard opens the scoring with a pinpoint penalty in the first half

Captain fantastic: Gerrard has now scored 10 Premier League goals this season

Captain fantastic: Gerrard has now scored 10 Premier League goals this season

When it has mattered, he has been there. Nerveless penalties against Newcastle, Fulham and Manchester United, a bullet header to change the tone of the Merseyside Derby, a glorious pass that led to a point being saved against Aston Villa – Gerrard has been responsible for them all.

Others, most notably Martin Skrtel, can also feel well satisfied with what they have contributed, even if it hasn’t been as spectacular and regular as Suarez. He, in all probability, will complete a clean sweep and few would begrudge him it.

Should he do that, however, he would be the first to recognise a collective effort has elevated him there.


 

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Although there are several fine candidates for Player of the Year, only one can seriously be considered. At this point in the season without a doubt Luis Suarez can be the only choice. No other comes close to what he has accomplished so far this year. It will be well deserved.

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u forgetting Hazard then

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Not at all. First sentence covers that. He's very good, just not good enough this year to compete with Suarez.

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Who think that Liverpool is second on the table because of Gerard?, some people can not help themselves. Wake up "sleepers". Fair enough, Uruguay does not export crude oil to England.

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A diver should never win player of the year no matter how good he is or what club he plays for.

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What if he's a good swimmer?

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shut it, you tard.

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Hahaha... Bittterrrrrrr...

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Henderson ? Sterling ? I'll have a go of the crack pipe your smoking Dominic

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Perhaps you haven't watched to many Liverpool games then? Or you're just being bitter.

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Notsure, Salisbury... I would ignore TrueBlue, when have you ever seen an intelligent comment about football ever come from Toronto?

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Suarez will get player of the year, it's nailed on. He's been incredible. Liverpool have been amazing also, Sturridge amazing..........Gerrard also.

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Just can't get enough, Suarez!!!

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Sturridge will win young player of the year.

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It really should be Suarez or even Gerrard. I wish Sir Alex had signed Gerrard when he was thinking about leaving Liverpool. I was at the game on Sunday and even from my corporate box I could see how classy gerrard still is. Liverpool made us look awful and they will probably carry on doing so for a while because they have a really system in place for mixing the young players with the quality experienced players. I really hope United sit up and take notice of what is going on down the M62.

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Yeah because Gerrard would have accepted an offer from United... What is it with the ridiculous comments on this site that come from North America?

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dream on

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Atleast one can dream

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Poor bitter alan

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