Liverpool lack a Lukaku-esque goal machine – Silvestre
Posted Friday, October 13, 2017 by squawka.com
Liverpool lack a goal machine like Romelu Lukaku according to former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre.
With Daniel Sturridge missing large parts of his time at Liverpool with injuries, the Reds have had to rely on Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and now Mohamed Salah to bring the goals.
Jurgen Klopp's side go up against rivals United in an eagerly-anticipated clash on Saturday, but Silvestre believes Liverpool's attacking quartet just aren't good enough to compete.
"They are good players but hardly world class yet" said Silvestre, talking exclusively to 888sport.
"Over the course of the ninety minutes you would expect Liverpool to make some chances because they are talented.
"But there is not one goal-machine from Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane or Philippe Coutinho.
"They are missing that clinical goalscorer because at the end of the day it is that player who is the one you have to be worried about, the one you expect to finish 20-25 times a season.
"Unlike United and Lukaku, Liverpool don't have one yet. United are going to be tested but I think they can control these guys.
"If I was a Liverpool fan I'd be more worried about strikers facing their defence than United. Especially Lukaku and Rashford.
"The problem with Liverpool is when they lose possession they don' t protect the back four so they are exposed to one v one on many occasions. That's because they expend so much energy going forward as a unit."
The Reds have created the most chances (101) in the Premier League so far this season, but have scored just 13 goals from those chances.
Liverpool lack a goal machine
Of Liverpool's 13 league goals this season, 11 have come from their attacking quartet with Salah scoring four, Mane three and Firmino and Coutinho with two.
Aside from Firmino, Liverpool's forwards have been scoring at a respectable rate per 90 minutes with Coutinho, Mane and Salah all averaging over 0.70 goals per 90.
Lukaku, however, has a perfect average of one goal per 90 from 4.43 shots per 90 minutes. Only Coutinho has averaged more shots per 90 (6.22).
The Belgian also betters Liverpool's attackers with shot accuracy, sharing first place on 65% with Salah.
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