[LFD]

Looking at the majority of the topics on this board I guess the assumption is we need a striker who can take us to the next level and hopefully close the gap on United. Topics on Tevez, Eto'o, Torres, Owen (YAWN), Bent and many others show this.

I have no doubts that a top striker would improve the team, adding some more class to the front line. If nothing more a top striker could give the opposition someone to fear, giving time and space for the other striker and players.

But for me last season our strikers did their job really as a collective unit. They were just as clynical as Man U's strikers for instance:-

Liverpool Strikers

Bellamy – 23 Starts, 7 Goals
Crouch – 19 Starts, 9 Goals
Fowler – 6 Starts, 3 Goals
Kuyt – 27 Starts, 11 Goals

Total – 30 Goals

Manchester United Strikers

Rooney – 33 Starts, 14 Goals
Saha – 18 Starts, 8 Goals
Smith – 6 Starts, 0 Goals
Solskjaer – 9 Starts, 5 Goals

Total – 27 Goals


Yes our strikers missed some chances, however I don't think they missed anymore than the other top teams. For me the biggest area where we need to improve is in our midfield. Too many games last season we did not look like scoring or creating chances for the strikers. The Everton game at home, we probably controlled the game but Stubbs and Yobo had an easy game and we created very little. The Man City away game last season we again had possession, but couldn't do anything with this possession. Aston Villa away where we were dreaful and couldn't even pass the ball, let alone create any chances. There were too many example unfortunately.

At times our midfield lacked movement, creation and general spark. Man U won the league because their whole team contributed to their performances. Goals came from their defense, strikers and most of all the midfield. They had a midfield full of player who could make and score goals. Their midfielders were also willing to get in the oppositions box.

Without Garcia (and Kewell to some extent) we only had Gerrard who looked like scoring from midfield. Gerrard was also the only player from midfield who would get into the oppositions box. By contrast Man U would fill the oppositions box with Giggs, Ronaldo and Scholes bursting from midfield.

Benitez likes two defensive minded player in the centre, which is fine. Howver it means Alonso, Mascherano and Sissoko aren't going to score many goals or contribute in this way to the team. It also means our strikers and wide players have to score more to make up for their lack of goals:-

Liverpool Midfielders

Alonso - 29 Starts, 3 Goals
Garcia – 11 Starts, 3 Goals
Gerrard – 35 Starts, 7 Goals
Gonzalez – 14 Starts, 1 Goal
Kewell – 0 Starts, 0 Goals
Mascherano – 10 Starts, 0 Goals
Pennant – 20 Starts, 1 Goal
Zenden – 9 Starts, 0 Goals

Total – 15 goals

Manchester United Midfielders

Carrick – 29 Starts, 3 Goals
Fletcher – 16 Starts, 3 Goals
Giggs, 25 Starts, 4 Goals
Richardson – 8 Starts, 1 Goal
Ronaldo – 31 Starts, 15 Goals
Scholes – 29 Starts, 6 Goals
Park – 8 Starts, 5 Goals

Total – 37

That's a huge difference and one key area where our team needs to improve next season. The return of Kewell (if he stays fit) and Garcia should help with this. I also think Gerrard should score more and a good rest this summer, as he has played football nearly non stop for more than two years.

But for me, some more creation and goals in our midfield would be just as valuable as a top striker.