Suarez shows instincts of a certain other Anfield No 7
Liverpool 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
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Your support makes all the difference.Luis Suarez was offered his pick from five squad numbers when he arrived at Liverpool last January but claims it was with no knowledge of history that he plumped for seven. Indeed, he insisted later that had he known that it was Kenny Dalglish's number, he would respectfully have chosen another.
Inevitably, therefore, he attracts comparisons. Yet would he not do so anyway, given the qualities he clearly shares with his revered manager? Like Dalglish at his peak, Suarez plays a game driven by instinct and invention, one with the potential always to produce goals of the kind that won this match, goals with a touch of genius.
From the timing of the run on to Jose Enrique's through-ball, to the shift of feet that sent Christophe Berra critically off balance, capped by the precision with which he fired the ball left-footed between goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and his near post, it was Dalglish all over.
Afterwards, Dalglish declined to enter a debate along those lines but willingly applauded the Uruguayan. "I think everyone has their own identity and it undermines the boy if you compare him with anyone else," Dalglish said. "He is Luis Suarez. He is a fantastic player and it is not fair to compare him with others who have been here before. Does he benefit from working with me? I don't know – I don't speak español. I don't know where he gets his ideas from but he is full of them and he certainly knows how to play."
Charlie Adam was sharp and resourceful in Liverpool's midfield, even if it did need a touch from Roger Johnson's head to take his shot past Hennessey for the opening goal. The goal from Steven Fletcher that rewarded Mick McCarthy's attacking tactics was sloppily conceded. Too early yet to hail a Liverpool revival.
Scorers: Liverpool R Johnson (og) 11, Suarez 38. Wolves Fletcher 49.
Substitutes: Liverpool Kuyt (Henderson, 71), Gerrard (Suarez, 81) Wolves Fletcher (Edwards, h-t), Doherty 6 (Stearman, h/t), Hunt (Guedioura, 81). Booked: Liverpool Lucas, Carroll, Kelly. Wolves O'Hara, Henry, Ward, Hunt.
Man of the match Suarez. Match rating 7/10. Possession: Liverpool 52% Wolves 48%.
Attempts on target: Liverpool 6 Wolves 6. Referee K Friend (Leicestershire). Att 44,922.
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