With a paltry 10% Premier League conversion rate last season, Luis Suarez's goals return for Liverpool was disappointing, and contributed to the team's overall malaise in front of goal. At Ajax, the Uruguayan scored goals for fun, and even though his finishing this season is similarly wayward, Suarez is determined to improve his creative return for the club.
Suarez's Premier League goal stats from last season don't make for great reading:
* 11 league goals in 31 games.
* One goal every 232 minutes.
* 10% conversion rate (CR).
* 55% of all shots off-target.
* 44% shooting accuracy.
At Ajax, Suarez scored 107 goals in 3.5 years, averaging 30 goals a season, but he rejects the idea that scoring lots of goals in Holland automatically means he'll score shedloads for Liverpool. He told LFC.com:
"I don't think that you can compare my goalscoring record at Ajax with here. Firstly, the Premier League is a very tough league to play in and, secondly, at Ajax I went through a period where the goals were flying in from wherever I shot. I'd get rebounds going in off my shoulder. I'm not getting that sort of luck at the moment"
Suarez also acknowledge that his finishing needs to improve:
"Sometimes I'm doing the hard part by getting away from the defender, but then I'm not finishing well. But that's what you work on in training and sometimes there's a bit of luck involved as well, but by practising hard I'm sure that the goals I want to score will come."
So, has anything improved this season? Not really. In fact, Suarez seems to be getting worse in front of goal:
* 2 league goals in 5 games.
* One goal every 225 minutes.
* 8% Conversion rate
* 68% of all shots off-target.
* 32% shooting accuracy.
Stats: OPTA
Yes, it's only five league games into the season, but Suarez's conversion rate, shooting accuracy and shots off target are currently worse than last season's averages. Looking at the performance of other strikers in the league, it's clear to see that the problem is acute:
* Steven Fletcher: 36% Conversion Rate
* Michu: 25% CR
* Rickie Lambert: 22% CR
* Lukas Podolski: 21% CR
* Robin Van Persie: 20% CR
* Fernando Torres: 17% CR
* Demba Ba: 16% CR
* Carlos Tevez: 13% CR
* Jermain Defoe: 12% CR
When Suarez is being outscored by Fletcher, Lambert and Michu - all of whom play for inferior teams (on paper) to Liverpool - you know there's a problem.
Lack of goals from all areas of the team contributed to Liverpool's atrocious league campaign last year, and the same thing is happening again this season. Suarez is not scoring enough goals, and as an (indirect) result, the team has failed to win the first five league games of the season.
In short: Suarez is a supremely talented player but his goals return is simply not good enough. The time for excuses is over; Yes, Suarez is a fan-favourite, but the team has to come firs, and if he doesn't start consistently delivering soon then Liverpool need to get someone in who will do the business.
It's not just Suarez, of course; the likes of Fabio Borini et al are not doing their bit in front of goal either, but Suarez is Liverpool's main attacking threat up front, and the onus should be on him to deliver for the club.
Let's hope his figures are much improved after ten games; if that happens, it will mean Liverpool are doing well in the league, and that's the ultimate goal.
Jaimie Kanwar
Suarez's Premier League goal stats from last season don't make for great reading:
* 11 league goals in 31 games.
* One goal every 232 minutes.
* 10% conversion rate (CR).
* 55% of all shots off-target.
* 44% shooting accuracy.
At Ajax, Suarez scored 107 goals in 3.5 years, averaging 30 goals a season, but he rejects the idea that scoring lots of goals in Holland automatically means he'll score shedloads for Liverpool. He told LFC.com:
"I don't think that you can compare my goalscoring record at Ajax with here. Firstly, the Premier League is a very tough league to play in and, secondly, at Ajax I went through a period where the goals were flying in from wherever I shot. I'd get rebounds going in off my shoulder. I'm not getting that sort of luck at the moment"
Suarez also acknowledge that his finishing needs to improve:
"Sometimes I'm doing the hard part by getting away from the defender, but then I'm not finishing well. But that's what you work on in training and sometimes there's a bit of luck involved as well, but by practising hard I'm sure that the goals I want to score will come."
So, has anything improved this season? Not really. In fact, Suarez seems to be getting worse in front of goal:
* 2 league goals in 5 games.
* One goal every 225 minutes.
* 8% Conversion rate
* 68% of all shots off-target.
* 32% shooting accuracy.
Stats: OPTA
Yes, it's only five league games into the season, but Suarez's conversion rate, shooting accuracy and shots off target are currently worse than last season's averages. Looking at the performance of other strikers in the league, it's clear to see that the problem is acute:
* Steven Fletcher: 36% Conversion Rate
* Michu: 25% CR
* Rickie Lambert: 22% CR
* Lukas Podolski: 21% CR
* Robin Van Persie: 20% CR
* Fernando Torres: 17% CR
* Demba Ba: 16% CR
* Carlos Tevez: 13% CR
* Jermain Defoe: 12% CR
When Suarez is being outscored by Fletcher, Lambert and Michu - all of whom play for inferior teams (on paper) to Liverpool - you know there's a problem.
Lack of goals from all areas of the team contributed to Liverpool's atrocious league campaign last year, and the same thing is happening again this season. Suarez is not scoring enough goals, and as an (indirect) result, the team has failed to win the first five league games of the season.
In short: Suarez is a supremely talented player but his goals return is simply not good enough. The time for excuses is over; Yes, Suarez is a fan-favourite, but the team has to come firs, and if he doesn't start consistently delivering soon then Liverpool need to get someone in who will do the business.
It's not just Suarez, of course; the likes of Fabio Borini et al are not doing their bit in front of goal either, but Suarez is Liverpool's main attacking threat up front, and the onus should be on him to deliver for the club.
Let's hope his figures are much improved after ten games; if that happens, it will mean Liverpool are doing well in the league, and that's the ultimate goal.
Jaimie Kanwar
on paper i.e. the league, they are currently better!
ReplyDeleteYes. Depressing.
ReplyDeleteJamie, surely its his confidence. He was prolific for Ajax, he's pretty returnable when he plays for Uruguay, and he scores more so hard goals than easy goals for Liverpool, which I don't understand. He'll bang it in from a very acute angle, but when faced one on one, he has a mind block and scuffs it. I don't believe he's "not a natural goal-scorer", because players who are not noatural goal scorers don't do what he did for Ajax.
ReplyDeleteYou may be right, Nick.It's hard to understand. Often, as you suggest, he can't finish the on-on-one chances, which seems strange for someone with his technical ability.
ReplyDeleteWhatever the issue, if it's not already in place, LFC should have a specific training plan tailored to Suarez's problems in front of goal. If that's not in place, it's negligence IMO.
You need a strong manager for that because telling a famous striker he needs to constantly work on his finishing is probably a bit daunting, and could risk affecting his confidence even more. I just hope Rodgers is strong enough.
It's all well and good fawning over Suarez and his ability, but his job is to score and create goals, and he's not doing that regularly.
Most of his worse performances under Dalglish came when he was up top alone. Rodger's 433 replicates that problem imo. He just isn't a CF, he needs to go wide or deep.
ReplyDeleteWe need an out and out striker playing in the middle with Luis playing off him, then we will see the best of Suarze!
ReplyDeleteI would still play him in the wing. One of the best players in the squad.
ReplyDeleteSuarez is class and a one off, end of story!!!
ReplyDeleteI suggest they get him a sports psychologist. He's got the finishing ability, just not the confidence to trigger it. He's kind of emulating Torres' form slump, but Torres had a slump in every aspect of his game.
ReplyDeleteI want to know why you wrote posts defending Valencias penalty and United's luck with decisions isn't in their favour as much as we all think? And then another negative article on Suarez . I would love to know how many times Suarez gets an incorrect decision go against him? I'm honestly not sure whether you support Liverpool or United. No wonder United fans love ya.
ReplyDeleteJamie. Do you know his stats for his first half season at LFC (from January 2011)? I'd be very interested to see them. As I remember he didn't score too many but he, Maxi and Kuyt together were on fire. It seemed his demise in form came when Kenny started to build the squad around Carroll (bringing in Downing, Hendo, Adam etc) at the expense of Maxi and Kuyt, with whom Suarez had linked up with so well whilst Carroll was still injured.
ReplyDeleteAnd your point is ?
ReplyDeleteThis really didn't come in my mind any time. Nice observation, quiet possibly the reason of his demise.
ReplyDeleteleave him alone
ReplyDeleteWhy pick out Suarez Jamie, what's Borini's %, afterall he's the main striker, what about everyone else who plays in attack in the premier league, you've mentioned nine players with a better % after five games.
ReplyDeleteYou do write some rubbish at times.
He's saying that a player of his ability should be scoring a lot more goals
ReplyDeleteThe truth is that the Eredevise is a very different standard and style than the PL. Only a handful of players have come from the Eredevise and succeed here. I think we should try Suarez just behind a striker, might pay off. However I think he will improve as the season progresses. He will probably score about 16-17 goals in all competitions. Ah I miss Torres :(
ReplyDeleteNo, he's doing fine. The level of quality in Eredevise defenders does not affect finishing ability. Whether he's one on one in England or Holland, his ability will remain the same.
ReplyDeleteFrom January-May 2011, Suarez stats:
ReplyDelete* 76 total shots
* 21 shots on target
* 72% of totall shots OFF target
* 3 goals scored* 4% conversion rate
As you can see, his stats were even worse then (!)
If you can't make your point without resorting to derogatory comments you will be banned. I think I've explained myself clearly in the article, and you cannot understand my point, that's not my problem.
ReplyDeleteEven though I think he is considerably overrated, especially for the pedestal he is put upon by some fans, and Uruguay play him plenty as a centre forward, I think he could do with a run out in one of the wide positions and come inside. He is a goalscorer but maybe not good enough for the PL. Bit like Afonso Alves.
ReplyDeletecome on Jamie you've got a chip on your shoulder about Suarez, all you do is critisize. Ban me, I don't care, or even - Replace Hogh?. That's your favourite line isn't it.
ReplyDeleteI agree. These stats make pretty damning reading. Mind you - I never saw Luis as a 30 goal a season man (whatever happened in Holland). For me, he is much more of a creator than a main striker, which makes the utter negligence of the club in allowing us to go forward this season without a recognised striker (or better still, two) in the squad all the more astonishing.
ReplyDeleteEven though I think he is considerably overrated, especially for the pedestal he is put upon by some fans, and Uruguay play him plenty as a centre forward, I think he could do with a run out in one of the wide positions and come inside. He is a goalscorer but maybe not good enough for the PL. Bit like Afonso Alves.
ReplyDeletehahahaha @ this
Jamie please do a stat on Suarez' shots that bounce off the frame as a percentage of total shots and shots that bounce off the fram vs shots on target...whacking the frame seems to be his main problem
ReplyDeleteWhat's that got to do with anything?
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter whether you hit the woodwork or put it in row Z, they only count if they go into the net.
A shot that hits the frame is still off target.
ReplyDeleteDespite not converting chances like the other players you mentioned i still wouldn't swap him for any of the players listed. Comparing the amount of goals he scored in a weaker league is not fair.
ReplyDeleteHe's more of a number 10 than 9, a permanent position in a wide roll in a 3 is where he should be played not central.I think BR will persist with BORINI until January and if he doesn't bang in some goals he will hopefully be replaced with a prolific predator.
YESIL is waiting in the wings if goals don't come from our more established stars.
absolute b*ll*cks, its way too early in the season to be looking to statistics for an accurate picture.
ReplyDeleteSuarez is clearly world class and with Rodgers style of play and the likes of Sterling,Suso,Sahin,Assaidi Shelvey,Allen and Gerrard around him it will suit him much better,Liverpool's season is going to kick off at the weekend and Suarez is going to show what he is made of this season for sure.
ReplyDeleteHow about last season, was it too late?
ReplyDeleteGood thing we haven't signed him up on a long term deal...oh hang on...
ReplyDeleteGood thing LFC did the sensible thing by looking at the stats and not extending his deal to a longer term...oh hang on...
ReplyDeleteHis only issue is he doesn't pass when he gets into a dangerous position, always going for glory goal when he creates an opening, nutmegs a defender, etc. if he looked up once in while and made a deadly pass he would have loads of assists, so he would have to learn to do that before he goes out wide and starts to play provider.
ReplyDeleteIts his decision making that lets him down. Hes a bit like a trickier Tevez without the finishing ability. Needs to get his head up sooner instead trying to take evryone on. The kids are showing the grown ups how to play like a team.
ReplyDeleteWhat part of comment was derogatory, am i missing something?
ReplyDeleteIt's been deleted.
ReplyDeleteSent from Samsung Galaxy Note
-------- Original message --------
Subject: [liverpoolkop] Re: 8% - The disappointing proof that Luis Suarez is getting worse in front of goal... | Liverpool-Kop.com
You sound like you have the chip on ur shoulder
ReplyDeleteWhat are you suggesting? dropping him?
ReplyDeleteI think a better approach would be to use him on the flanks and not as a striker, as he was played against manu, since he clearly is not a goal-scorer at the moment.
Could it b that he needs better players to play with.
ReplyDeleteMaybe playing him out wide will force into being more aware of that. Secondly, its not as if it is a strange position for him to play in, the wide forward position, considering he has played there for Ajax and Uruguay. Not saying he will be a success but would like to see him given a try there or at least in a interchanging front three (or just even him and Borini interchanging)
ReplyDeleteMaybe, maybe or how about a weaker league to play in, like the Dutch league
ReplyDeleteGarbage!!!!
ReplyDeleteyou were better off clicking reply instead
ReplyDeleteAnd your suggestion is what ? Seeing how you removed my last question
ReplyDeleteyou are a disgrace Jamie, you have never had anything positive to say about Suarez. You sound more like a Manc than anything.
ReplyDeleteStats dont mean S H I T ! what about the passes? what about the Crosses? what about running back to defend? what about chasing and tackling?
ReplyDeleteSuarez is a good player PERIOD! Hes one to keep and hes the type of player we need to bee looking for to bolster our side. Quite frankly the performance on wednesday was great we Assaidi put the ball in the box time and time again if only Carroll was there to put it in the back of the net???? If Assaidi isnt in the first team against Norwich then Brenden Rogers has missed a trick!
Id bring Carroll Back and play him with Assaidi, suarez can pick up anything Carroll misses.
YNWA
He works his ass off on the field and that what counts...ooopppss he just scored againts Norwich 1-0
ReplyDeleteGlad to see Suarez scoring 3 today. Now his conversion is 20% ( 5 goals from 25 attempts). Suarez 's Dutch league goals translates to 55% record in EPL according to some historical data . Thus , Suarez is roughly 15 goals and 9 assist players per EPL season. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteI understand you being pedantic, ie Suarez is main striker and therefore in your eyes it's his fault were not scoring enough goals, BUT this is a team game, we stand together and we fail together collectively, maybe opinions like yours just pile more pressure onto his shoulders, in addition to all the other vile abuse he receives. I know you believe in BR's ability and approach to the game, so why are you doubting his belief in Suarez as a player, are you saying BR is wrong to select Suarez and should drop him? If he's good enough for our manager to select him then he's good enough and we should be supporting him, not sniping him from afar. At present time of writing he has just banged 3 in against Norwich and created one for Sahin, which improves his stats. Yes he misses chances, sometimes the apparent easier ones, but he is quality and it is unfair to judge him at this early stage of the season. Of all the strikers (no pun intended) we have, you pick out Suarez as the weak link, when are we gonna discuss Borini because he doesn't look like he is going to score a bag full and he cost how much?, So long as we work as a team and get the results who cares who scores, it's about the team not any one individual, to single out Suarez is ridiculous, he is just one tooth on a cog that makes up the team, that fits with other cogs to make the club. Ever thought we as fans are failing our team because of the lack of support and understanding we are giving them by constantly being imo too critical, we are turning from fans into armchair managers and this attitude helps no one. Our players are human beings with all the frailties and imperfections that make us human, they are not machines and to narrate about them as if they are machines with no imperfections is wrong.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the work though Jamie as I enjoy your thoughts and being able to freely debate/discuss them here with you.