Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists Luis Suarez's value to the team is judged on far more than goals.
The 24-year-old scored for the first time in the Premier League since 1st October as the Reds beat QPR 1-0 on Saturday to end a run of four successive Anfield draws.
During that period Suarez has racked up two Football Association misconduct charges, but the January 2011 signing has been fully supported by Dalglish.
The Liverpool boss believes his player has earned an unwarranted reputation for going down too easily, which has resulted in opponents unfairly targeting him.
However, after watching Suarez end his goal drought, Dalglish said: "I would never judge anyone solely on goals.
"That is for the simple reason that you wouldn't judge a goalie on saves because if he is making great saves we have some problems somewhere else.
"Everyone is entitled to score a goal, but certainly for anyone who scores a goal they get a tremendous lift so I am sure it will help the wee fella."
The goal was Suarez's fifth in the league - and eighth in all competitions - but the way he celebrated with his team-mates suggested it was a relief to end his drought.
"It was good to see Luis on the scoresheet because the chances have been coming for him, but he's just not been able to get them into the back of the net," Charlie Adam, who provided the cross for the goal, told Liverpool's official website.
"But like all top strikers they always wait for their time and Luis was the match winner.
"I'm delighted for him because he works ever so hard for the team - and his hard work paid off with another great goal."
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