Is Luis Suarez's misfiring performance an ominous sign for Liverpool?

The Uruguayan spurned several clear chances as Liverpool went down 2-0 at Zenit St Petersburg, and with seemingly little left for Rodgers' side to play for, is Suarez's profligacy an indication the club's season set to fizzle out?

As Brendan Rodgers' himself said, Luis Suarez could have had a hat trick before half time in Russia on Thursday evening, and the Uruguayan’s wastefulness was a worrying throwback to his performances last season. Whilst one poor outing clearly doesn't really take away from Suarez's wonderful season, the loss means it's difficult to see Liverpool progressing in the one tournament they are left competing in.

Already this season Liverpool have suffered disappointing exits in the League Cup and the FA Cup, the latter at the hands of League One strugglers Oldham Athletic, and despite some decent recent results the club is well off the pace for a Champions League spot in the league. A 2-0 loss at Zenit leaves their Europa League hopes hanging by a thread, and if they fail to turn over the deficit, there's every chance Liverpool's season will slowly fizzle out with very little left to compete for.

It could get even worse than that if Suarez's form dips in the next few months, as although the arrival of Daniel Sturridge has reduced Liverpool's reliance on the Uruguayan, he is clearly still central to most of their attacking threat.

Liverpool will also worry that a dispiriting end to the season might make Suarez more open to the interest that will inevitably come from the biggest clubs in Europe this summer, especially if Liverpool cannot secure a Europa League spot for next season. Bayern Munich have already been strongly linked with a move for Suarez, but there will undoubtedly be interest from many top sides if there is the slightest indication the striker could leave Anfield.

Liverpool have played very well on many occasions this season, but it is telling that they have yet to beat a top side, and that makes there's hopes of overturning the deficit against Zenit look slim. There has been a lot of optimism around the side, but if their season finishes with no decent cup runs and a lack of European football for next season, there could be major changes at the club once again.

image: © dannymol

Nick Harris

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I'm Nick Harris, Spurs fan and sports writer. Alongside HITC, I'm the founder, editor, writer, and fan of footballspirals.com and can be found on Twitter - @nicksharris. When I'm not watching sport I'm usually drinking coffee and checking updates on my phone in an antisocial manner.