Steven Gerrard, the iconic former captain of Liverpool Football Club, has unequivocally named Luis Suarez as the greatest teammate he ever shared a pitch with. Gerrard, who witnessed and played alongside numerous world-class talents during his illustrious career at Anfield, believes Suarez’s impact and ability set him apart from all others.
During their potent partnership from 2011 to 2014, Suarez tormented opposition defences, netting an impressive 82 goals in just 133 appearances for the Reds. Gerrard highlighted the Uruguayan’s fierce competitive spirit and the sheer dread he instilled in opponents, a sentiment echoed by many who faced him.
Gerrard, a Liverpool legend with 710 appearances for the club, described Suarez as a “fantastic talent and a great player.” He went on to make a bold assertion, stating that the Uruguayan striker is “probably the best player I’ve ever played with,” a testament to Suarez’s extraordinary skill and influence.
Arriving at Anfield in 2011 for a fee of £20 million from Ajax, Suarez quickly became a pivotal figure. He helped Liverpool secure the League Cup in his second season and, alongside Daniel Sturridge, formed a devastating attacking duo that nearly propelled the club to their first Premier League title in 2013-14.
That remarkable season saw Suarez deliver one of the Premier League’s most dominant individual campaigns. Despite a five-game suspension, he scored an astonishing 31 goals and provided 13 assists, earning him the PFA Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards, while also sharing the European Golden Shoe.
Despite Suarez’s departure for Barcelona in the summer of 2014 amid controversy, his bond with Gerrard remained strong. The former captain has often spoken of Suarez’s character off the pitch, describing him as a “good guy” and a devoted family man, with the pair maintaining a supportive friendship throughout their careers.
Suarez’s career has been marked by controversy, including several high-profile biting incidents. However, these off-field issues never overshadowed his undeniable talent on the field. Gerrard himself lauded Suarez’s abilities in his 2016 memoir, stating that the striker “blew me away with his talent.”
Liverpool struggled to replace the void left by Suarez, and Gerrard departed Anfield the following season. Suarez, meanwhile, continued to achieve significant success at Barcelona, forming a formidable attacking trident with Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr., culminating in a treble-winning season. He has since continued his career in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, reuniting with former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.
