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Jonny Evans has revealed that former Liverpool star Luis Suarez was the toughest striker he ever faced during his time at the Reds.
The Reds have long been known for their attacking flair and history of world-class forwards, and the Uruguayan was among the very best. Though not always the most popular figure in English soccer, his talent and tenacity made him one of the Premier League’s most formidable strikers.
Suarez came close to leading Liverpool to their first Premier League title, but a dramatic collapse against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park dashed those hopes. Despite leading 3-0, the Reds conceded three goals in the final 11 minutes, finishing with a shocking 3-3 draw.
Evans believes that Suarez has it all, and that's why he's named him as the best he's ever faced. “I’d go straight to Suarez when he was at Liverpool,” said the former Manchester United defender when he was asked the question on Sky Sports.
“I think he was, I’d probably go Suarez, Drogba and Aguero, those three stand out more than the others. You just never knew what you’d get with him, he’d bobble the ball through your legs, he was strong, brave, he was a real handful.”
Former Reds defender Martin Kelly also witnessed Suarez at his peak and described him as one of the most unique players he’s ever encountered.
The mercurial Uruguayan — now with Inter Miami in the MLS — scored an impressive 31 goals in just 33 matches during the 2013/14 campaign after serving a suspension at the start of the season.
Kelly also noted that Suarez had a notably unusual training routine.
"He did something I’d never seen before,” Kelly told The Athletic. "He would play 90 minutes on a Saturday and then train on a Sunday with us lads who hadn’t featured....he didn’t want to just do recovery.
“I did a few sessions with him. We would do [a] one v one, first to eight goals in a penalty box with a goalkeeper.
"It was intense. The way I was brought up was: Don’t take a step back.
"At one point, we squared up to each other, and he was laughing at me, saying, ‘Kelly, you’re crazy.’ I said, ‘Just stop kicking me. Why are you kicking me?’ He was always so game — that will to win.”
Suarez netted 82 goals in 133 appearances for Liverpool but won just one trophy with the club.
He departed in the summer of 2014 for Barcelona, where, following another suspension, he played a key role in helping the Spanish side secure the treble.
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