There’s never been a player quite like Luis Suarez at Liverpool.

Well of course, we’ve had various, talented footballers that have possessed some of his components individually, but the eclectic and ferocious mix the Uruguayan possesses is as unique to him as it is entertaining to us.

Quick feet, entrancing skill, superb shooting, tuned aggression and a talent for the unexpected have been fused with an irrepressible desire to win football matches that few in the world possess, to make the insatiable Suarez one of the most likeable and gifted footballers of the 21st century.

At least, amongst his own fans.

Hand signals, chants, shouting and even coins rained down on Suarez as he weaved his magic upon the field of Liverpool’s arch rivals, in a typical Goodison Park derby.

A game like this never looks for pretty passing or technical brilliance, all it needs is a hero, a villain, and a talking point.

Suarez dutifully provided all three.

For the Liverpool fans, he was everything they wanted and needed from a player in a derby. Backed by a gritty, determined and passionate performance from his team-mates, he led the line with furious dedication. Whether dropping deep to trade off passes or latching on to balls over the top, Suarez was magnificent. He tracked back to tackle the ball out for a throw in. He chased lost causes. He was the first to everything that came his way, and once the ball was at his feet, he made sure that magic followed.

Consistently turning defenders, with his potent combination of quick feet and unpredictability, he gave Everton’s back four no room for complacency, proving a challenge to stop both on and off the ball.

He also scored. Somehow only once.

He first fired upon goal with a fierce volley that deflected in of the unfortunate Leighton Baines, and added to the travelling Kopites joy minutes later with a perfectly deft header to make it 2-0.

As for the Everton fans, they exhibited the kind of hostility that has followed the Uruguayan all season, and was doubtless stoked by the pre-match comments of David Moyes in relation to diving.

It was Moyes, not Suarez who emerged embarrassed when the latter hit the Goodison floor though. After putting Liverpool ahead, Suarez gleefully made his way to the sidelines, falling humorously to the floor in front of the Everton manager.

Brendan Rodgers would later call it “Scouse wit,” and it was. Reminiscent of Robbie Fowler’s sniffing celebration after scoring against the Blues in 1999, Suarez showed a sense of humour, the most potent retort of all, in celebrating his goal, and endeared himself even more to the travelling supporters while incensing the home fans.

Phil Neville later emphasised Suarez’s point by being booked for diving.

Meanwhile Marouane Fellaini kicked, shoved and wrestled players to the ground as punishment for them being quicker than him, deliberately kicking both Joe Allen and Raheem Sterling from behind. Yet it was Suarez, who several times did well to stay on his feet after cumbersome challenges, that remained a “cheat.”

And then there was that goal. The goal that was and the goal that wasn’t.

Smashing the ball into the roof of the net after a knock-down from Sebastian Coates, Suarez had done it. He peeled away celebrating as the ground shook with the joyful exuberance of his fans, for the game had been won, in dramatic, late and great fashion.

For a few seconds anyway. For the linesman had ruled offside, and the score remained at 2-2. Replays showed the linesman had been desperately incorrect, and the delay of the flag caused Gary Neville to suggest after the game that the official had “bottled it”.

Even Moyes conceded that Everton were fortunate not to have lost the game in that moment.

And what of Suarez? Angry, raging, in the referee’s face? No.

He smiled.

As he jogged back into position, he knew that he had been onside, and he knew the decision had gone against him unfairly, as it had time and time again this season.

It was the same smile that was spread across his face as he performed his diving celebration, and the same that he displayed when he was awarded a free-kick in the second half, pointing at himself as if to say “Me? Fouled? Why, thank you!”

Suarez’s humour didn’t end there. When a coin thrown from the stands landed in his proximity, he simply tucked it into his boot quietly and walked into the area, ready to try and get his head on the incoming corner.

As the boos, chants and insults of opposition fans rained down upon him, he concentrated on two things. First the game, and then his own fans.

Turning away from the hatred and bile, he looked towards the section of the ground bathed in the red of Liverpool, and waved.

For whatever reason, Luis Suarez is the pantomime villain of the Premier League. But where some players might crumble and tire from the constant battering, he simply stands firm, performs well, and scores goals. Opposition fans don’t like him? So be it. The people that matter appreciate and adore him for not only his footballing talent, but his unique and unbeatable desire and determination to win every game he participates in.

He is often criticised for exhibiting such anger in the face of decisions not going his way, of fouls not being given and such like, but Suarez has begun to simply laugh at such mistakes. Having been kicked from pillar to post for 90 minutes only to receive nothing, most players would be spitting blood, enraged and inconsolable. It is remarkable that the Uruguayan's temperament is criticised under such ridiculous treatment from opposition players and referees, but it is.

Because the world needs a villain. The world needs a talking point. And right now, Luis Suarez is English football’s answer to both.

But to Liverpool fans, he is something else entirely.

Goals, assists, nutmegs, chance creations, and now comedy celebrations. He has been involved in 80% of Liverpool’s goals this season, and in his 4 derby games, he has been involved in six goals, with three of his own and three assists.

Luis Suarez, you know what you are?

Our hero.

This article on Luis Suarez was originally published on The Liverpool Word by staff writer Matt Volpi.