Liverpool 3-1 Man Utd: Suarez Stars, Carroll Debut

Now while this blog will focus on all sorts of goings-on in the soccer world, I have to admit that I'm a Liverpool fan, so how better to ring things off with a review of the biggest game in England this weekend, against our hated rivals and league leaders Manchester United.

Basically, United looked tired, beaten, and uninspired. Backline anchors Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were both absent through injury, and it showed as new January signing Luis Suarez ripped and tore through the United defense. Suarez is looking more and more like a brilliant recruit and a genius signing, and the way he plays with the ball at his feet and the opportunities he creates make you wonder how Fernando Torres could ever have passed up on the opportunity to play with the Uruguayan. He was directly responsible for two of Dirk Kuyt's three goals for Liverpool, and surely Manager Kenny Dalglish and Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli's vision of pairing the skilled Suarez right off of budding colossus Andy Carroll should prove devastating in the future.

Speaking of Caroll, the 22-year old Geordie made his long-awaited debut after becoming the most expensive British player of all-time this January after his move from Newcastle to Liverpool. He barely had enough time to really leave his mark on the game, and as the score was 3-0 when he came on and it was his first game since December, circumstances weren't the best for Caroll to show exactly why he's worth all that money. Reports emerged this week that Newcastle valued him at 1 million a year ago, and the boy just went for 35 million in January; him and Suarez combined cost around 58 million pounds, so their success is imperative to the long term prospects of Liverpool. Take into account that most of that money came from the 50 million that Chelsea gave us for Torres, and you could say that whether you think Andy Carroll is worth 35 million or not, Liverpool fans have to hope that the player becomes at least 20 goal a year scorer who can adequately replace the offensive production that was lost with Torres' departure.

That lack of production is why Liverpool have struggled so mightily this year, especially since Torres decided to abruptly leave. The team can't rely on the likes of Kuyt for performances like this every week, as we all know the Dutchman is better suited supporting from the wing, with his lung-busting runs down the flank from which he cuts into the box and often finds himself at the exact right place at the exact right time. Luckily for Liverpool, though, he filled his striking role admirably today, and gave another committed, memorable performance for the Liverpool cause, hurting United's title chances on the way. Suarez is slowly but surely making his way into the hearts of the Liverpool faithful, and his price, which was so debated between Liverpool and Ajax during the discussions which led to his transfer, is now looking very reasonable.

So the biggest question mark for Liverpool now remains Andy Carroll: will the imposing young striker find his form soon and carve out a spot for himself in the Liverpool starting 11, week in and week out? Can he ever justify a 35 million pound price tag, and even if he can't will he prove a successful, potentially world class player? The remaining weeks of the season will give us an opportunity to see exactly how this team comes together as a unit before the summer, and hopefully they give fans a chance to see what the future holds for Liverpool FC. If Carroll doesn't come through as advertised, however, and his detractors are proven right about his inexperience, unspectacular pace and skill on the ball, and "one-dimensional" aerial style of attack, Liverpool may yet find they have paid 35 million pound for little more than Carroll's trademark ponytail.