Liverpool – Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager, labelled Luis Suarez “unplayable” after the forward's superb equaliser earned his side a point in a 1-1 Premier League draw with Newcastle.
And the new Anfield supremo has promised he will bring reinforcements to the club in the January transfer window in an attempt to offer Suarez some sorely-needed help and improve Liverpool's fortunes.
Suarez remains the only recognised senior forward on the Liverpool books following the disaster of the last transfer window when the club allowed Andy Carroll to leave without signing a replacement.
The Uruguay international has now claimed 11 goals for the campaign, none more impressive than a stunning finish which cancelled out a first half opening goal from Yohan Cabaye.
Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini was also shown a straight red card at Anfield on Sunday in the 83rd minute for a high lunge at the in-form Suarez, who has been much criticised by rival clubs for alleged diving.
“I thought he was unbelievable,” said Rodgers. “Coloccini got sent off because he was frustrated. He's been a great defender for the last number of years for Newcastle but Luis is so bright and clever, and a world-class striker in that form really frustrates defenders.
“Luis wants to play every minute and we know he needs support. Hopefully we can add the type of player, the profile of player, we want to help us finish off the opportunities we're making.
“If we do that, we will have a really exciting team.
“Luis is an absolute joy to work with. He's still a young player and has committed his best years to us. When we get a number of players in who can work of his qualities, it's going to make us a real threat.
“His movement is so clever, he really is world-class. He was unplayable today - as he has been for most of the season.”
The only problem for Rodgers in the remaining weeks before the transfer window re-opens revolve around keeping Suarez fit and the fact that, in attacking terms at least, his side are so reliant on a player who so often courts controversy.
“It doesn't worry me,” said Rodgers when asked about Liverpool's over-reliance on Suarez. “He gets picked to score goals. But obviously I would want the goals to be spread out a bit more.
“Everyone knows, I certainly know, that it's key to the future for us going forward that we need to get goals from other areas. You can't complain when you play and perform at the level that we did today.
“It gives you great hope that once we get that type of high profile player in, we are going to be an exciting team.”
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew accepted Coloccini deserved his read card but did question whether his captain attempted to pull out of the high challenge and admitted he is considering an appeal.
Pardew also reacted angrily to questions about comments from the Wales manager Chris Coleman who, in his role as television pundit, described the Coloccini foul as a “coward's challenge.”
“I don't care what Coleman said,” said Pardew. “I've seen the sending off a couple of times on the video and it doesn't look too clever if I'm honest.
“But he was trying to stop himself to some extent so I want to speak to my secretary and decide whether to appeal.”
Newcastle also suffered injuries to Cabaye, Demba Ba and James Perch, who is expected to be out for a month with a thigh problem, during what proved to be a costly draw. – Sapa-AFP