Liverpool’s Former Star Still Outperforming Current Attackers

Liverpool find themselves in a familiar position as the season enters its crucial final stages. With the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United approaching and Champions League knockout rounds on the horizon, the Reds are competing on multiple fronts.

However, it’s the Premier League title that remains the ultimate prize for Jurgen Klopp’s side. Veterans like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are eager to add a second league trophy to cement their legendary status at Anfield.

While Salah continues his prolific form with 27 goals and 19 assists this season, questions have emerged about the output of forwards Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez. Their combined 25 goal contributions in 2024 fall well short of Salah’s 46.

This relative lack of production from Diaz and Nunez becomes even more stark when compared to former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. Despite being 38 years old and playing in MLS, Suarez managed 25 goals and 12 assists in 37 matches for Inter Miami in 2023.

Suarez’s tally of 37 goal involvements last year surpassed both Diaz (27) and Nunez (24) across the 2024 calendar year for Liverpool. While the Uruguayan is clearly past his Premier League prime, his continued goalscoring prowess highlights what Liverpool lost when he departed for Barcelona in 2014.

The failure to adequately replace Suarez in subsequent years only compounded the loss. Current manager Jurgen Klopp has since built a formidable attack, but one can only imagine how potent Liverpool might have been had Suarez remained to spearhead Klopp’s high-intensity system.

As Liverpool pursue multiple trophies this season, the club may look back with some regret at selling a player who continues to produce at an elite level even in the twilight of his career. Suarez’s enduring quality serves as a reminder of the world-class talent that once graced Anfield.