Luis Suarez spent four years at Liverpool, where he established himself as one of he best strikers around, winning the Golden Boot in his final season before moving to Barcelona
Patrick Austen-Hardy Senior Sports Journalist and Amie Wilson Central Audience Writer
05:30, 11 Oct 2025
Luis Suarez was the talisman for Liverpool during his time at the club. (Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool defender Martin Kelly has revealed that he had never witnessed a first-team player train with the reserves the day after a match until Luis Suarez started showing up every Sunday morning. Over a four-year period, Suarez established himself as one of the finest forwards in the club’s history.
Whether it was his unforgettable goals, incredible assists or those games where he single-handedly seemed to carry Brendan Rodgers‘ team to victory, Suarez will forever be remembered by Liverpool fans and players alike.
But it wasn’t just his brilliance on matchdays that left an impression on Kelly. The now-retired defender will always remember how the Uruguay international would regularly turn up for training on a Sunday, even when he wasn’t required to be there.
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In a chat with the Athletic, Kelly recalled: “He did something I’d never seen before. 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 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.
“He was 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’s fierce determination was evident even in Sunday training sessions, typically made up of unused substitutes and reserve players. His relentless drive to win every game and drill he participated in showcased his character and leadership qualities – traits that nearly led the Reds to Premier League glory in the 2013/14 season.
In his final season with Liverpool, which saw the team finish just two points behind champions Manchester City after a home loss to Chelsea and a 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace in their last three matches, Suarez delivered an impressive 33 goals and 13 assists in 33 Premier League appearances.
His Liverpool tenure ended with him tearfully embracing Steven Gerrard at Selhurst Park, after they conceded the advantage to City. Suarez transferred to Barcelona in the summer of 2014 for a hefty £75million.
Suarez’s reaction following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace said a lot about his character. (Image: AP Photo/Alastair Grant))
In his first season with the Catalans, he netted 26 goals and provided 25 assists in 46 appearances, helping them secure the Champions League, La Liga and the Copa Del Rey titles. He went on to clinch three more La Ligas with Barcelona, before bagging another league title with Atletico Madrid in the 2020/21 season.
He continues to find the back of the net alongside Lionel Messi for David Beckham’s Inter Miami franchise. In his debut season with the Florida outfit, Suarez chalked up nine goals and 10 assists.
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