Stats: Wayne Rooney v Luis Suarez – Who comes out on top?

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Wayne Rooney and Luis Suarez could be the most important players for Manchester United and Liverpool this weekend.

Wayne Rooney and Luis Suarez will go head-to-head this weekend when Manchester United host arch enemies Liverpool in the Premier League at Old Trafford. Both strikers are the most important players for their respective sides and both could win this game themselves.

Rooney has been under tremendous pressure to perform following his bumper new contract at the club and he’s responded well while Suarez is seen as a figurehead in the Liverpool attack, as Brendan Rodgers’ side look to secure Champions League football with an outside shot of the title.

Here’s how the pair of them match up against each other in five key attacking areas.

Goals

Suarez is way out in front in terms of goals with 13 more than Rooney at the moment this season. Rooney has been asked to play a variety of positions for David Moyes but it does suggest Suarez carries the bigger goal threat heading into the game.

Assists

They’re neck and neck in terms of assists this season. Both of them are superb in attack when it comes to realising when someone else is in a better position. It suggests that both players will be looking to get on the ball to try and create chances in the opponent’s final third.

Shots on Target

No player has had more shots on target this season than Luis Suarez. He’s deadly accurate in front of goal so United need to keep the space around him restricted, trying to prevent him from having the time and space to get shots away at David De Gea’s goal.

Big Chances Missed

Suarez has been more wasteful with big chances, missing twice as many as Rooney. However, it’s natural a striker who is having more shots on goal is going to miss more chances.

Touches

Rooney has had more touches of the ball this season, which is unsurprising considering the role he plays in United’s attack, frequently dropping off to get involved in midfield. The fact Suarez isn’t too far behind is a tribute to the way the Uruguayan works in Liverpool’s attack, never staying still and always on the move looking for the ball.