Luis Suarez is set to join Barcelona for £75 million, bringing an end to three and a half wonderful years at Anfield. Henry Jackson looks back at the highs and lows of Luis Suarez’s unforgettable Liverpool career.
2010/2011
In January 2011, Liverpool’s director of football at the time, Damien Comolli, flew to Holland to seal a deal for highly-rated Ajax striker Luis Suarez. The then 23-year-old was not a global superstar at that time, but his performances at the 2010 World Cup for Uruguay had caught the eye of many.
On the final day of the January transfer window Suarez completed a £22.8m move to Anfield, and was given the famous number seven shirt worn by such legends as Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan. The former was the Liverpool manager at the time of Suarez’s arrival.
Despite El Pistolero‘s undoubted talent, not many Reds fanatics would be prepared for what he would achieve in the next three and a half years.
The Uruguayan made his Liverpool debut as a 63rd-minute substitute at home to Stoke. It took just 16 minutes for him to open his Reds account, rounding goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and rolling his shot agonisingly into the Kop net. It doubled Liverpool’s lead and ensured a 2-0 victory. A star was born.
Although four goals in 13 league appearances didn’t exactly set the world alight during the rest of the 2010/11 campaign, Suarez’s performances helped lift Dalglish’s side from mid-table to sixth in the final Premier League standings.
2011/12
The 24-year-old enjoyed a superb summer at international level, winning the Player of the Tournament award at the 2011 Copa America as Uruguay triumphed in Argentina.
The 2011/12 season was not a particularly spectacular one for Suarez at Liverpool though, and was one that would be clouded in controversy.
11 goals in 31 league games represented a modest return, but a match-clinching goal in the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park and a superb hat-trick away to Norwich were two of the highlights of Suarez’s season. He also earned his only piece of silverware in his time at the club, winning the 2012 League Cup after a penalty shootout win over Cardiff in the final at Wembley.
Suarez’s season was marred by an incident involving Manchester United’s Patrice Evra in October 2011, in which he was found guilty of racially abusing the French left-back. He was subsequently banned for eight games. Suarez claimed his innocence, and although criticised by those outside the club, Dalglish and the players stood by their man throughout the whole debacle.
2012/13
Dalglish was sacked in the summer of 2012, following a disappointing second spell in charge, and was replaced by Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers. Under the Northern Irishman, Suarez enjoyed two outstanding seasons- he signed a new long-term contract in August 2012- seeing him become one of the finest players in world football in the process.
A stunning free-kick against Manchester City in the early weeks of the season gave Liverpool supporters a taste of what was to come, and another hat-trick at Norwich saw his wonderful form continue.
By March 2013 he had amassed 20 league goals, becoming only the third Reds player to achieve such a feat after Robbie Fowler and Fernando Torres.
Suarez’s wonderful displays were deservedly rewarded with him being nominated for the prestigious PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, although he eventually lost out to Tottenham’s Gareth Bale. Sadly, however, his season was once again somewhat overshadowed by controversy.
On April 21st 2013, Suarez bit Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in the 2-2 draw at Anfield, culminating in a 10-game ban from the FA. It meant he would miss the opening six games of the 2013/14 campaign.
It was a hugely disappointing end to a season that had seen Suarez bring so much joy to Reds fans around the world.
2013/14
During the summer of 2013 Suarez signalled his intention to leave Liverpool, citing the British media and wanting to play Champions League football as the main reasons for his decision. Oddly, he then seemed keen on a move to Arsenal, whose embarrassing £40,000,001 bid for him- his buyout clause was reportedly £40m- was rejected by the club.
On the eve of the new season, after a period that had seen Suarez consigned to train away from the first-team by Rodgers as punishment for his behaviour, he reversed his decision and pledged his allegiance to Liverpool. His final season at the club was to be one of the finest ever by a Reds player.
He returned from his suspension in late September, in a League Cup tie against United, and was truly mesmerising from that point on. He scored twice on his Premier League return, a 3-1 win at Sunderland, while his first game back at Anfield saw him find the net in a victory over Crystal Palace.
A treble against West Brom, two more against Fulham and a trademark free-kick in a 3-3 draw at Everton saw Suarez’s unstoppable form continue, and better was still to come when Norwich visited Anfield.
The Uruguayan scored four goals against the Canaries, including two Goal of the Season contenders, leaving many running out of superlatives for him. Some were even calling him the best player on the planet, ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The relationship between Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in attack, dubbed the ‘SAS’, was not only inspiring Liverpool towards a top-four finish, but also an unlikely title bid. They would end the campaign with 52 league goals between them.
Further majestic performances against Spurs, Cardiff and Stoke saw Suarez continue to entertain the watching world into the New Year, and although his performances dipped very slightly at times during the remaining few months of the season, he went one better than the previous year and won both the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards.
31 goals in 33 matches was a staggering return, particularly considering he didn’t take penalties, and although Liverpool had to settle for second place after an agonising last few weeks of the season, both the team and Suarez, in particular, were lauded by the fans.
Exit
At the 2014 World Cup, Suarez found himself at the centre of another biting scandal. His attack on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in Uruguay’s 1-0 win over the Azzurri resulted in a four-month ban from all football.
It was third time he had done such a thing during his career, and it left his Anfield future very much up in the air.
With the club clearly feeling they couldn’t keep standing by their man, and Suarez keen on a move, the 27-year-old completed a *insert fee* move to Barcelona on *insert date*. There were claims by some that the deal would have happened regardless of the biting incident.
Losing Suarez is undoubtedly a massive blow to the club- letting a play of his staggering ability will hurt any side- but every club moves on.
The money received will hopefully be well spent, and another title challenge in 2014/15 could be just around the corner again.
The controversial striker has given us many wonderful memories since signing in January 2011, and is arguably the most talented player ever to wear a Liverpool shirt. The sky is the limit for Luis Suarez.
What is your favourite Luis Suarez memory? Let us know in the comments section.
Luis Suarez is set to join Barcelona for £75 million, bringing an end to three and a half wonderful years at Anfield. Henry Jackson looks back at the highs and lows of Luis Suarez’s unforgettable Liverpool career.
2010/2011
In January 2011, Liverpool’s director of football at the time, Damien Comolli, flew to Holland to seal a deal for highly-rated Ajax striker Luis Suarez. The then 23-year-old was not a global superstar at that time, but his performances at the 2010 World Cup for Uruguay had caught the eye of many.
On the final day of the January transfer window Suarez completed a £22.8m move to Anfield, and was given the famous number seven shirt worn by such legends as Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan. The former was the Liverpool manager at the time of Suarez’s arrival.
Despite El Pistolero‘s undoubted talent, not many Reds fanatics would be prepared for what he would achieve in the next three and a half years.
The Uruguayan made his Liverpool debut as a 63rd-minute substitute at home to Stoke. It took just 16 minutes for him to open his Reds account, rounding goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and rolling his shot agonisingly into the Kop net. It doubled Liverpool’s lead and ensured a 2-0 victory. A star was born.
Although four goals in 13 league appearances didn’t exactly set the world alight during the rest of the 2010/11 campaign, Suarez’s performances helped lift Dalglish’s side from mid-table to sixth in the final Premier League standings.
2011/12
The 24-year-old enjoyed a superb summer at international level, winning the Player of the Tournament award at the 2011 Copa America as Uruguay triumphed in Argentina.
The 2011/12 season was not a particularly spectacular one for Suarez at Liverpool though, and was one that would be clouded in controversy.
11 goals in 31 league games represented a modest return, but a match-clinching goal in the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park and a superb hat-trick away to Norwich were two of the highlights of Suarez’s season. He also earned his only piece of silverware in his time at the club, winning the 2012 League Cup after a penalty shootout win over Cardiff in the final at Wembley.
Suarez’s season was marred by an incident involving Manchester United’s Patrice Evra in October 2011, in which he was found guilty of racially abusing the French left-back. He was subsequently banned for eight games. Suarez claimed his innocence, and although criticised by those outside the club, Dalglish and the players stood by their man throughout the whole debacle.
2012/13
Dalglish was sacked in the summer of 2012, following a disappointing second spell in charge, and was replaced by Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers. Under the Northern Irishman, Suarez enjoyed two outstanding seasons- he signed a new long-term contract in August 2012- seeing him become one of the finest players in world football in the process.
A stunning free-kick against Manchester City in the early weeks of the season gave Liverpool supporters a taste of what was to come, and another hat-trick at Norwich saw his wonderful form continue.
By March 2013 he had amassed 20 league goals, becoming only the third Reds player to achieve such a feat after Robbie Fowler and Fernando Torres.
Suarez’s wonderful displays were deservedly rewarded with him being nominated for the prestigious PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, although he eventually lost out to Tottenham’s Gareth Bale. Sadly, however, his season was once again somewhat overshadowed by controversy.
On April 21st 2013, Suarez bit Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in the 2-2 draw at Anfield, culminating in a 10-game ban from the FA. It meant he would miss the opening six games of the 2013/14 campaign.
It was a hugely disappointing end to a season that had seen Suarez bring so much joy to Reds fans around the world.
2013/14
During the summer of 2013 Suarez signalled his intention to leave Liverpool, citing the British media and wanting to play Champions League football as the main reasons for his decision. Oddly, he then seemed keen on a move to Arsenal, whose embarrassing £40,000,001 bid for him- his buyout clause was reportedly £40m- was rejected by the club.
On the eve of the new season, after a period that had seen Suarez consigned to train away from the first-team by Rodgers as punishment for his behaviour, he reversed his decision and pledged his allegiance to Liverpool. His final season at the club was to be one of the finest ever by a Reds player.
He returned from his suspension in late September, in a League Cup tie against United, and was truly mesmerising from that point on. He scored twice on his Premier League return, a 3-1 win at Sunderland, while his first game back at Anfield saw him find the net in a victory over Crystal Palace.
A treble against West Brom, two more against Fulham and a trademark free-kick in a 3-3 draw at Everton saw Suarez’s unstoppable form continue, and better was still to come when Norwich visited Anfield.
The Uruguayan scored four goals against the Canaries, including two Goal of the Season contenders, leaving many running out of superlatives for him. Some were even calling him the best player on the planet, ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The relationship between Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in attack, dubbed the ‘SAS’, was not only inspiring Liverpool towards a top-four finish, but also an unlikely title bid. They would end the campaign with 52 league goals between them.
Further majestic performances against Spurs, Cardiff and Stoke saw Suarez continue to entertain the watching world into the New Year, and although his performances dipped very slightly at times during the remaining few months of the season, he went one better than the previous year and won both the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards.
31 goals in 33 matches was a staggering return, particularly considering he didn’t take penalties, and although Liverpool had to settle for second place after an agonising last few weeks of the season, both the team and Suarez, in particular, were lauded by the fans.
Exit
At the 2014 World Cup, Suarez found himself at the centre of another biting scandal. His attack on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in Uruguay’s 1-0 win over the Azzurri resulted in a four-month ban from all football.
It was third time he had done such a thing during his career, and it left his Anfield future very much up in the air.
With the club clearly feeling they couldn’t keep standing by their man, and Suarez keen on a move, the 27-year-old completed a *insert fee* move to Barcelona on *insert date*. There were claims by some that the deal would have happened regardless of the biting incident.
Losing Suarez is undoubtedly a massive blow to the club- letting a play of his staggering ability will hurt any side- but every club moves on.
The money received will hopefully be well spent, and another title challenge in 2014/15 could be just around the corner again.
The controversial striker has given us many wonderful memories since signing in January 2011, and is arguably the most talented player ever to wear a Liverpool shirt. The sky is the limit for Luis Suarez.
What is your favourite Luis Suarez memory? Let us know in the comments section.
With the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona finally confirmed, we take a look at how the world reacted on this announcement.
The news has finally, officially, broken— Luis Suarez is set to move to La Liga side Barcelona this summer, for a fee reported to be in the region of £75 million.
Likely the biggest transfer of the summer, reaction has been widespread since announcements were made, from fans to players to journalists.
The Club
Ostensibly primed long before the announcement, Liverpool’s official statement regarding the sale of their Uruguayan maverick was refined and understated:
“We would like to thank Luis for his contribution and the role he played in helping bring Champions League football back to Anfield.
“Everyone at Liverpool Football Club wishes Luis and his family well for the future.”
The Journalists
Elsewhere, journalists and media-types have had their say on the deal, with the consensus focusing on thanking the striker for his phenomenal contribution over the past three-and-a-half seasons.
This is perhaps most succinctly summed up The Times’ Oliver Kay:
Andy Hunter, of The Guardian , believes memories of the Uruguayan will endure as of one of a flawed genius.
“Suarez leaves glorious, gory memories and with a reputation as one of Anfield’s finest talents minus the character to match.”
Chris Bascombe, writing for The Telegraph , questioned whether the player will receive the adulation he did at Anfield at his new club:
“Liverpool should admit it. Loud and proud. They will really miss Luis Suarez. But give it time, and there is every chance Suarez won’t half miss Liverpool.”
David Triggs and Joe Rimmer, writing for the Liverpool Echo , stress that no player in Liverpool history has been irreplaceable: “for every Suarez there is a Kevin Keegan, an Ian Rush or a Fernando Torres.”
The Players and Managers
At the other side of the critical spectrum, former players and managers weighed in with their opinions on the transfer of Suarez, with more widespread praise on the agenda.
Former Reds No. 9 Robbie Fowler showcased his usual acerbic wit, referencing perhaps Suarez’s biggest adversary throughout his Premier League tenure…
Fans
Perhaps the biggest reflection of the impact Suarez’s sale had on the world upon its announcement is the reaction of the everyday football fan.
Once more, the majority of the attention was focussed on praising the contributions of the 27-year-old.
However, some perhaps struggled to come to terms with the loss of one of the club’s greatest ever players.
Others paid more interest in the financial impact of Suarez’s sale, with the reported £75 million considered an exceptional return for a player signed for £22.4 million in January 2011.
The man who has proved vital in this development of investment is Suarez’s now former manager, Brendan Rodgers.
In his official statement on the club’s loss, Rodgers expressed his gratitude for the Uruguayan’s immense contribution with typical nuance.
However, in typically pragmatic fashion, the Ulsterman set his sights on the future for the club with great optimism.
The sale of Suarez is clearly a significant loss for Liverpool, but one which Rodgers clearly believes can be rectified this summer and beyond.
The Future
With the majority of reaction positive, focussing on the goals and performances of Luis Suarez—particularly in his past two seasons under Rodgers—it is importance to indulge on this sale the unique talents of the 27-year-old.
Responses of the club and manager exude considerable gratitude on the loss of a genuine, world-class talent.
Luis Suarez is clearly a vast talent lost, but £75 million is clearly a vast sum gained.
It is important that the focus is on the positive contributions of Suarez in a Liverpool shirt, and towards the development of the club without him.
Will Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool cope without Luis Suarez? Let us know in the comments below.
With the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona finally confirmed, we take a look at how the world reacted on this announcement.
The news has finally, officially, broken— Luis Suarez is set to move to La Liga side Barcelona this summer, for a fee reported to be in the region of £75 million.
Likely the biggest transfer of the summer, reaction has been widespread since announcements were made, from fans to players to journalists.
The Club
Ostensibly primed long before the announcement, Liverpool’s official statement regarding the sale of their Uruguayan maverick was refined and understated:
“We would like to thank Luis for his contribution and the role he played in helping bring Champions League football back to Anfield.
“Everyone at Liverpool Football Club wishes Luis and his family well for the future.”
The Journalists
Elsewhere, journalists and media-types have had their say on the deal, with the consensus focusing on thanking the striker for his phenomenal contribution over the past three-and-a-half seasons.
This is perhaps most succinctly summed up The Times’ Oliver Kay:
Andy Hunter, of The Guardian , believes memories of the Uruguayan will endure as of one of a flawed genius.
“Suarez leaves glorious, gory memories and with a reputation as one of Anfield’s finest talents minus the character to match.”
Chris Bascombe, writing for The Telegraph , questioned whether the player will receive the adulation he did at Anfield at his new club:
“Liverpool should admit it. Loud and proud. They will really miss Luis Suarez. But give it time, and there is every chance Suarez won’t half miss Liverpool.”
David Triggs and Joe Rimmer, writing for the Liverpool Echo , stress that no player in Liverpool history has been irreplaceable: “for every Suarez there is a Kevin Keegan, an Ian Rush or a Fernando Torres.”
The Players and Managers
At the other side of the critical spectrum, former players and managers weighed in with their opinions on the transfer of Suarez, with more widespread praise on the agenda.
Former Reds No. 9 Robbie Fowler showcased his usual acerbic wit, referencing perhaps Suarez’s biggest adversary throughout his Premier League tenure…
Fans
Perhaps the biggest reflection of the impact Suarez’s sale had on the world upon its announcement is the reaction of the everyday football fan.
Once more, the majority of the attention was focussed on praising the contributions of the 27-year-old.
However, some perhaps struggled to come to terms with the loss of one of the club’s greatest ever players.
Others paid more interest in the financial impact of Suarez’s sale, with the reported £75 million considered an exceptional return for a player signed for £22.4 million in January 2011.
The man who has proved vital in this development of investment is Suarez’s now former manager, Brendan Rodgers.
In his official statement on the club’s loss, Rodgers expressed his gratitude for the Uruguayan’s immense contribution with typical nuance.
However, in typically pragmatic fashion, the Ulsterman set his sights on the future for the club with great optimism.
The sale of Suarez is clearly a significant loss for Liverpool, but one which Rodgers clearly believes can be rectified this summer and beyond.
The Future
With the majority of reaction positive, focussing on the goals and performances of Luis Suarez—particularly in his past two seasons under Rodgers—it is importance to indulge on this sale the unique talents of the 27-year-old.
Responses of the club and manager exude considerable gratitude on the loss of a genuine, world-class talent.
Luis Suarez is clearly a vast talent lost, but £75 million is clearly a vast sum gained.
It is important that the focus is on the positive contributions of Suarez in a Liverpool shirt, and towards the development of the club without him.
Will Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool cope without Luis Suarez? Let us know in the comments below.
Both Luis Suarez and Brendan Rodgers have released statements on Friday afternoon following the official confirmation that Liverpool have agreed to sell the Uruguay international to Barcelona.
Liverpool thanked the 27-year-old for his contribution to the club during his three and a half years at Anfield, wishing him and his family well for the future.
Suarez himself took the opportunity to thank the fans of Liverpool for their support, adding that the opportunity to play in Spain has been a lifelong ambition of his.
“It is with a heavy heart that I leave Liverpool for a new life and new challenges in Spain,” he said. “Both me and my family have fallen in love with this club and with the city.
“But most of all I have fallen in love with the incredible fans. You have always supported me and we, as a family, will never forget it, we will always be Liverpool supporters.
“I hope you can all understand why I have made this decision. This club did all they could to get me to stay, but playing and living in Spain, where my wife’s family live, is a lifelong dream and ambition. I believe now the timing is right.”
Suarez also looked towards Liverpool’s future and predicts a bright one. He added, “I wish Brendan Rodgers and the team well for the future. The club is in great hands and I’m sure will be successful again next season.
“I am very proud I have played my part in helping to return Liverpool to the elite of the Premier League and in particular back into the Champions League.
“Thank you again for some great moments and memories. You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Rodgers meanwhile took the opportunity to praise Suarez for his footballing talents and assured fans that the club did everything they could to keep him at Anfield.
“Luis is a very special talent and I thank him for the role he has played in the team in the past two years, during my time at Liverpool,” the Northern Irish manager said.
“I think he would be the first to accept he has improved as a player over that period, along with the team and has benefited from being here, as we have benefited from him.
“The club have done all they can over a sustained period of time to try to keep Luis at Liverpool. It is with great reluctance and following lengthy discussions we have eventually agreed to his wishes to move to Spain for new experiences and challenges. We wish him and his young family well; we will always consider them to be friends.”
Rodgers went on to look towards the future and the continued development of the club without Suarez.
He continued, “We are focused on the future, as we strive to continue with the progress we have made and build on last season’s excellent Barclays Premier League campaign.
“I am confident we will improve the team further and will be stronger for this coming season, when we will be competing on all fronts; domestically and in the greatest club competition in the world, the Champions League.
“If there is one thing the history of this great club teaches us, it is that Liverpool FC is bigger than any individual. I hope our supporters continue to dream and believe that we are moving forward and with continued improvement and progression, together we will bring the success we all crave and deserve.”
Suarez leaves having made 133 appearances for the Reds, scoring 82 goals.
Both Luis Suarez and Brendan Rodgers have released statements on Friday afternoon following the official confirmation that Liverpool have agreed to sell the Uruguay international to Barcelona.
Liverpool thanked the 27-year-old for his contribution to the club during his three and a half years at Anfield, wishing him and his family well for the future.
Suarez himself took the opportunity to thank the fans of Liverpool for their support, adding that the opportunity to play in Spain has been a lifelong ambition of his.
“It is with a heavy heart that I leave Liverpool for a new life and new challenges in Spain,” he said. “Both me and my family have fallen in love with this club and with the city.
“But most of all I have fallen in love with the incredible fans. You have always supported me and we, as a family, will never forget it, we will always be Liverpool supporters.
“I hope you can all understand why I have made this decision. This club did all they could to get me to stay, but playing and living in Spain, where my wife’s family live, is a lifelong dream and ambition. I believe now the timing is right.”
Suarez also looked towards Liverpool’s future and predicts a bright one. He added, “I wish Brendan Rodgers and the team well for the future. The club is in great hands and I’m sure will be successful again next season.
“I am very proud I have played my part in helping to return Liverpool to the elite of the Premier League and in particular back into the Champions League.
“Thank you again for some great moments and memories. You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Rodgers meanwhile took the opportunity to praise Suarez for his footballing talents and assured fans that the club did everything they could to keep him at Anfield.
“Luis is a very special talent and I thank him for the role he has played in the team in the past two years, during my time at Liverpool,” the Northern Irish manager said.
“I think he would be the first to accept he has improved as a player over that period, along with the team and has benefited from being here, as we have benefited from him.
“The club have done all they can over a sustained period of time to try to keep Luis at Liverpool. It is with great reluctance and following lengthy discussions we have eventually agreed to his wishes to move to Spain for new experiences and challenges. We wish him and his young family well; we will always consider them to be friends.”
Rodgers went on to look towards the future and the continued development of the club without Suarez.
He continued, “We are focused on the future, as we strive to continue with the progress we have made and build on last season’s excellent Barclays Premier League campaign.
“I am confident we will improve the team further and will be stronger for this coming season, when we will be competing on all fronts; domestically and in the greatest club competition in the world, the Champions League.
“If there is one thing the history of this great club teaches us, it is that Liverpool FC is bigger than any individual. I hope our supporters continue to dream and believe that we are moving forward and with continued improvement and progression, together we will bring the success we all crave and deserve.”
Suarez leaves having made 133 appearances for the Reds, scoring 82 goals.
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique will be able to control Luis Suarez, who will play as an out-and-out number nine, reckons Guillem Balague.
The Uruguay ace, who is currently serving a four-month ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup, will be handed a five-year deal at the Catalan club after Liverpool accepted a fee in the region of £70million for the 27-year-old, should he pass his medical next week.
And Sky Sports Spanish football expert Balague believes Enrique, who took over at the end of a disappointing 2013-2014 season for the three-time Champions League winners, has the character to cope with Suarez's behavioural issues, which have seen him incur four previous bans from football.
Balague told Sky Sports News: "Luis Enrique can control almost anything.
"He's a mixture of Pep Guardiola - in the way that he's absolutely fundamental in his Barcelona ideas and how he wants to play - but at the same time he's got the personality of Jose Mourinho - he's very, very strong minded; he was as a player, he was as a manager as well and he's convinced he can manage all of these.
"It's quite clear that Luis Enrique came in with the idea that, alongside Neymar and alongside Lionel Messi, he wanted a No. 9.
"Then they looked around and they saw that Kun Aguero was not for sale and there was no possibility of negotiations with Manchester City, so they went for someone who was available and who wanted to come.
"They've got a No.9, perhaps the best No. 9 in the world - I think we all agree last season that he seemed to be. He was voted the best by the players, by the media and everyone in the Premier League.
"And they've got a man with a problem; that's what they're bringing in as well.
"But the way Barcelona is looking at it is, 'Yes, Hristo Stoichkov also had a problem, so did Samuel Eto'o, we will manage him.'
"There is a little bit of shock of the idea that they want the players to be pure and an example to everybody when they're just athletes.
"Having those two things is what they're doing to try and sell it to the world."
Happy
When Suarez's ban is completed he will join a formidable frontline for Barcelona that includes Messi and Neymar, something fans across the world can't wait to witness.
"How are they going to play? We will see," Balague said.
"We're seeing at the moment that Messi is dropping deeper; a number 10 is his role in between the lines behind the striker.
"They now have two strikers in Neymar and Luis Suarez - in any case, the combinations are fascinating.
"Barcelona fans are happy because they're getting a super player.
"I'm pretty sure Liverpool fans are in one way unhappy because they're losing such a good player but again with this insistence on players being pure, a lot of people will be happy to see the back of him."
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique will be able to control Luis Suarez, who will play as an out-and-out number nine, reckons Guillem Balague.
The Uruguay ace, who is currently serving a four-month ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup, will be handed a five-year deal at the Catalan club after Liverpool accepted a fee in the region of £70million for the 27-year-old, should he pass his medical next week.
And Sky Sports Spanish football expert Balague believes Enrique, who took over at the end of a disappointing 2013-2014 season for the three-time Champions League winners, has the character to cope with Suarez's behavioural issues, which have seen him incur four previous bans from football.
Balague told Sky Sports News: "Luis Enrique can control almost anything.
"He's a mixture of Pep Guardiola - in the way that he's absolutely fundamental in his Barcelona ideas and how he wants to play - but at the same time he's got the personality of Jose Mourinho - he's very, very strong minded; he was as a player, he was as a manager as well and he's convinced he can manage all of these.
"It's quite clear that Luis Enrique came in with the idea that, alongside Neymar and alongside Lionel Messi, he wanted a No. 9.
"Then they looked around and they saw that Kun Aguero was not for sale and there was no possibility of negotiations with Manchester City, so they went for someone who was available and who wanted to come.
"They've got a No.9, perhaps the best No. 9 in the world - I think we all agree last season that he seemed to be. He was voted the best by the players, by the media and everyone in the Premier League.
"And they've got a man with a problem; that's what they're bringing in as well.
"But the way Barcelona is looking at it is, 'Yes, Hristo Stoichkov also had a problem, so did Samuel Eto'o, we will manage him.'
"There is a little bit of shock of the idea that they want the players to be pure and an example to everybody when they're just athletes.
"Having those two things is what they're doing to try and sell it to the world."
Happy
When Suarez's ban is completed he will join a formidable frontline for Barcelona that includes Messi and Neymar, something fans across the world can't wait to witness.
"How are they going to play? We will see," Balague said.
"We're seeing at the moment that Messi is dropping deeper; a number 10 is his role in between the lines behind the striker.
"They now have two strikers in Neymar and Luis Suarez - in any case, the combinations are fascinating.
"Barcelona fans are happy because they're getting a super player.
"I'm pretty sure Liverpool fans are in one way unhappy because they're losing such a good player but again with this insistence on players being pure, a lot of people will be happy to see the back of him."
