With Diogo Jota burying two clinical goals for Liverpool over the weekend, it has got the internet thinking. Just who is the Reds’ most lethal striker of all time?
Former defender Jamie Carragher has been one of those leading the debate. Carragher even took to X after Sunday’s game to create a poll on the site.
“Is Diogo Jota LFC’s best finisher in the PL era,” wrote the legendary centre-back. The four options Carragher gave voters were: Robbie Fowler, Luis Suarez, Jota and Mohamed Salah. Somewhat bizarrely, Suarez came out on top with 43% of the vote. Fowler second, Salah third, Jota fourth. Carragher wasn’t happy.
“Suarez is the best player, but not the best finisher out of these 4!” wrote the 45-year-old. Not satisfied with the result, the pundit continued his crusade into today. Posting a graphic of Liverpool’s best conversion rate with a minimum of 20 goals since 2003/04, Carragher appears to have proven himself right.
Jota sits the highest of the four players polled, boasting a 19.3% conversion rate, he’s second overall. Salah is fifth, with 17.4% while Suarez sits eighth on 12.5%. Fowler, having scored the vast majority of his goals before 2003 isn’t included.
But even Diogo can’t claim the top spot. Surprisingly, Divock Origi is the man sitting on the throne. With a 20.8% conversion rate, Origi is officially Liverpool’s most clinical striker of the past 20 years. “So Origi is the greatest striker we had over the last 20 years? I totally agree.” wrote one X user. “Build the statue!” agreed Carra.
Origi tops clinical list
This won’t be a surprise to some. Sadio Mane once suggested that Origi was actually the best finisher he’d ever played with in his career.
Jurgen Klopp also previously hailed the 28-year-old as the most ruthless at the club during his time at Anfield.
People have often wondered how Divock had such a tendency to turn up in the biggest of games. But perhaps the answer is as simple as that he was just on the pitch.
At times, the Belgian struggled to get out there for Liverpool. In games like the famous Barcelona semi-final in 2018/19, Origi actually started the game.
Given more time, the now Nottingham Forest striker proved how good he is. Two chances, two goals. Bang, bang.
Had Origi played more often, he’d have certainly scored more goals.
The problem was that the rest of his game wasn’t quite up to scratch. Origi certainly had his place in Klopp’s first great Liverpool side, but he was nowhere near the most gifted forward player. A killer’s instinct when through on goal wasn’t enough to get him in the team regularly.
Nevertheless, it shows what a difference it can make to have such player in the squad. Will anybody step up and overtake Origi? Over to you, Diogo.
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