Uruguay striker Suarez inspiring Liverpool revival

With two goals in two games already this season, Luis Suarez is demonstrating how valuable he could be to Liverpool's hopes of returning to the top four.

Having started on the bench at Arsenal on Saturday, it was the Uruguay striker's introduction alongside Raul Meireles that turned the game in Liverpool's favor in the 70th minute as the visitors won 2-0.

Their linkup was crucial in creating the opportunity that led to the opening goal, although the finishing touch was applied by the unfortunate Aaron Ramsey into his own goal.

It was Suarez who then completed the scoring in stoppage time, slotting into the empty net from Meireles' square pass.

"It's a hell of a good pair of substitutes to bring on," Liverpool manager Dalglish said. "We were really pleased with Andy Carroll's work and Dirk Kuyt's, but when you've got two players of that quality on the bench, it would be wrong not to at least have a go with them."

Suarez also scored in the 1-1 draw against Sunderland last weekend, but it is not just his scoring that is endearing him to the Liverpool faithful.

His movement and quick feet were instrumental in breaking down an inexperienced and tired Arsenal defense. He has already developed a good understanding with new arrivals Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam, as well as Meireles.

The quartet offered a new approach to breaking the deadlock at the Emirates Stadium, as they moved the ball around in a manner more typically associated with their opponents, after the more direct approach had failed.

The 24-year-old Suarez has returned to England following a highly successful offseason, scoring four goals in Uruguay's triumphant Copa America campaign and also picking up the player-of-the-tournament award.

However, an offseason as eventful as this creates difficulties for his club side. Suarez has scarcely had a break for over two years.

Before last season, Suarez played at the World Cup through to the quarterfinals before being suspended for Uruguay's semifinal loss.

Dalglish said it is important to manage the player's workload to avoid injury, conceding that starting him against Sunderland in Liverpool's opener might have been a mistake.

"Last week maybe I was being a wee bit romantic with Luis," Dalglish said. "It was unfair on him, he was coming back and was on such a high and looked sharp in training. I thought I'd give him a game.

"He still scored the goal, still played well but he just never had the energy he normally has."

Suarez started on the bench Saturday, with Andy Carroll operating as a lone striker, a decision that now seems inspired.

The enthusiasm and pace that accompanied Suarez's introduction and the intelligent interplay with his midfielders proved too much for a weary Arsenal backline, who had also endured a tough midweek fixture with Udinese.

Suarez was a much-heralded arrival in Liverpool last January, when he completed a 22.8 million pound ($37.6 million) from Dutch champion Ajax.

His contributions during the second half of the season were vital to the club's revival after a difficult beginning to the campaign, as Liverpool climbed up to sixth.

Liverpool fans will be hoping the striker can last the course and help the team return to the top four after missing out on European qualification last season.