Will Luis Suarez Become the Most Hated

Player in Premier League?


The Manchester United-Liverpool match over the weekend was mired in controversy as United left back Patrice Evra claimed Liverpool striker Luis Suarez hurled racial slurs at the Frenchman.

There will apparently be an investigation into the incident. Evra is claiming television cameras picked up Suarez using the racial taunts.

It would certainly be foolish to jump to conclusions. If the Uruguayan is found to have hurled the abuse, a suspension is a must.

Wayne Rooney was suspended for two matches last season for cursing in front of a television camera. Using harmful racial taunts is arguably much worse.

On the other hand, the point could be made that Evra should face punishment if no evidence is found. To openly make false claims of this degree against a player shouldn't be tolerated.

The two certainly didn't look the best of friends during the match on Saturday. Prior to a corner kick for Liverpool, referee Andre Marriner had to speak to them because of physical play.

Suarez then playfully tapped Evra on the head, only to have his arm slapped away by the French defender.

Whatever the result of the investigation, the fact of the matter is that Suarez is the kind of player that seems to always court some kind of controversy.

He is responsible for what may be the most memorable moment of the 2010 World Cup when he handled a sure goal against Ghana in the last minute of extra time. Ghana lost on penalty kicks.



Since Suarez arrived at Anfield from Ajax, he has been worshiped by Reds supporters who were hurting from the departure of Fernando Torres. To Suarez's credit, he has really acclimated himself well to the club and its supporters.

Of course, when his transfer was made, Suarez was still under an eight-match suspension in the Eredivisie for biting the shoulder of Otman Bakkal.

He was also suspended for matches in the Netherlands for picking up too many yellow cards. This is more of a representation of his petulant behavior with officials because it's not as if he was getting them for mistimed tackles.

This was present in Liverpool's match against Tottenham when he picked up a yellow for antagonizing the match official.

It was just a glimpse of what Reds supporters can probably expect in the future. If a match is going poorly, Suarez can be a volcano on the verge of erupting.

The striker is certainly not afraid to collapse at even the slightest bit of contact, either. Sure, plenty of players are guilty of diving. But someone with Suarez's talent shouldn't have to resort to such tactics.

For Liverpool supporters, he is the kind of player you want. He is willing to do whatever it takes to win, whether it's inside or outside the rules. You can always count on him to give everything he has on the pitch.

To opposing players and supporters, Suarez is a pain in the rear and a cheater.

The fact of the matter is, ever since Cristiano Ronaldo left, there hasn't been that universally reviled player in the Premier League. You could put Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Carlos Tevez or Didier Drogba up there, but none have reached the kind of hatred the Portuguese midfielder felt.

The door is certainly open for Suarez to pick up where Ronaldo left off. The Uruguayan certainly isn't afraid to embrace the role of the villain.