Erling Haaland has broken Premier League records this season, but unless he scores at least two non-penalty goals on the final day, he will not match Luis Suárez....CONTINUE READING
Erling Haaland is receiving nothing but praise for his debut campaign on English shores, and rightly so considering his scoring numbers for Manchester City.
This term, the Norwegian striker has found the net 36 times in England’s top-flight, meaning he now holds the record for most goals scored in a single Premier League campaign.
The 22-year-old has been virtually unstoppable at times, hoovering up chances from optimal locations close to goal and establishing himself as the ultimate poacher, with 12 of his goals originating from within the six-yard box.
Haaland also recently equalled Thierry Henry’s record for most goals and assists in a 38-game Premier League season with 44.
He can beat that record this weekend as Manchester City plays its final match of the campaign against Brentford, but he is still two goals behind a certain Liverpool great.
Haaland is setting new standards left, right and center, but seven of his Premier League goals this term have been penalties, meaning one record originating at Anfield is still intact for the time being.
In 2013/14, Luis Suárez showcased one of the best seasons in the history of the competition. The Reds striker was deployed as a talisman by Brendan Rodgers, dovetailing with the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho in attack as Liverpool breached the 100-goal mark, finishing second in the Premier League.
Suárez found the net 31 times in 33 starts, with none of his goals originating from the penalty spot. The South American also registered an incredible total of 12 assists, establishing himself as one of the most talented performers on the planet before his high-profile transfer to Barcelona in the following summer window.
Steven Gerrard took Liverpool’s penalties back then and scored 10 times from the spot. If Suárez had taken control over those dead-ball situations and scored the same amount, he would have ended the season on 41 goals, which is a scary thought and captures his level as a true genius at Anfield.
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Right now, Haaland has 29 non-penalty goals to his name, meaning he is two goals shy of what Suárez delivered in 2013/14 with one game remaining.
The Uruguayan’s special campaign in a red shirt is barely talked about because he technically didn’t break records, but that is simply because Gerrard dominated penalty situations.
“Suárez was probably the best,” said Gerrard years later on BT Sport when asked about strikers who he played with during his days as a player.
“His work-rate, his desire, his commitment. He could score unbelievable goals, he could score tap-ins, he could ruin a defense on his own and he was a match-winner.”
Indeed, he is regarded as an icon on Merseyside. Reds supporters wanted him to stay longer than he did, but regardless, he is remembered as a maverick who was intense, unpredictable and didn’t miss a single match due to injury in three-and-a-half seasons at Anfield.
Haaland still has 90 minutes against Brentford to equal or perhaps surpass what he did for Liverpool in 2013/14, but nevertheless, the campaign that Suárez had around a decade ago should be a fixed part of football folklore.
