Liverpool have struggled for goals collectively this season.
Liverpool duo Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling are the Premier League’s top goal-scoring partnership after combining for a total of six goals, as per Opta.
The Reds have endured a difficult campaign this season, following their immense success from last year, crashing out of the Champions League early and experiencing two cup semi-final defeats.
Moreover, their hopes of gaining a top four spot in the Premier League appear to be slipping away as they remain four points behind fourth-placed Manchester United with just three games remaining.
Many observers have cited the difficulties of replacing Luis Suarez as the Reds’ underlying problem this campaign, with his 31 Premier League goals last season a tough act to follow.
Fellow goal scorers Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard have both suffered from injuries, resulting in the Merseysiders netting just 49 times in 35 games – a whopping 52 goals shy of last season’s total.
However, two men that are doing their best to compensate are Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson, an assist-goal partnership that has wielded more success than any other in the Premier League.
| Goals | Goal Assist | Appearances | Mins Played | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raheem Sterling | 7 | 7 | 33 | 2,870 |
| Jordan Henderson | 6 | 8 | 34 | 2,985 |
Interestingly, the duo only have 13 goals between them, but six of those have come as a direct result of an assist from the other player, whether by luck or passing precision.
Yet, as impressive as it is from an individual perspective, it also serves as a warning to boss Brendan Rodgers that his two leading scorers are midfielders, and not strikers.
The summer acquisitions of Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert have failed to have the desired effect, while the jury remains out on the long-term fitness of Sturridge.
As per a Sky Sports article by Jamie Carragher, a new striker is a must this summer and Rodgers cannot afford to bring in another player only for him to prove largely ineffective in front of goal.
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