When
Luis Suarez departed for Barcelona, it was expected that the Reds will sign
another top striker in order to compensate for the Uruguayan’s loss. What can
simply be described as a good omen, Liverpool signed Rickie Lambert before
Suarez's departure and indicated there are more to come. However what can now
be described as running out of luck, the Reds have hired a brigade of
midfielders but failed to capitalize on a striker’s deal.
Luis Suarez won 15 points for Liverpool last season, 5 points behind Sturridge who won 20.
While
no one can deny the Sturridge factor that made 20 points for Liverpool, it
would be nearly impossible for the reds to replace 31 goals. However, Brendan
Rodgers has done well this transfer window to share the burden of scoring goals
and with the impressive form shown by Liverpool youngsters Suso and Raheem Sterling in
the pre-season, it can be said that Rodgers’ policy of hiring youngsters and
reaping the benefits of loan spells is gathering momentum for Liverpool.
Suarez
and Sturridge scored 52 goals last season.
If
you look at the strongest Liverpool attacks from history, there has always been
a bouquet of strikers up-front. From Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush who won three
trebles for reds in the 80’s to Roger Hunt and John Toshack who scored a
combined 404 goals for the reds and many alike partnerships, Liverpool have
always been great when their midfielders have been met by two prolific strikers
up-front. So if Liverpool look to their history for inspiration, they should
also look there to get the recipe of success which is playing two prolific
strikers up-front.
Liverpool
played 14 matches last season with SAS playing together, they scored 40 goals
in the process with 10 wins.
Without the front two of Suarez and Sturridge formation, Liverpool winning percentage last
season was nearly 67% and they managed 2.54 goals per game which is a pretty
decent tally looking at the depth in their squad or lack of it last season.
However, in the matches where Suarez and Sturridge played together, Liverpool’s
winning percentage was 71% and they managed 2.85 goals per game. Hugely
Impressive!
With
Suarez and Sturridge up-front: 2.85 goals/game. Without Suarez and Sturridge
up-front: 2.54 goals/game
Conclusion:
As they say history always repeats itself, it has been true in the case of Liverpool striker partnerships. So even if Fabio Borini refuses to leave Liverpool and with Rickie Lambert boyhood dream coming alive, Liverpool should be more practical and should add a final striker piece into their jigsaw puzzle to be amongst the top 4 again next season.
No comments