As Liverpool Hunts for a New Striker, Who Are the Goal Scorers That Define Being a Reds Number Nine

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When it comes to iconic footballing positions, few carry as much weight as being Liverpool’s leading striker. The very role seems to embody the spirit of Anfield—passion, drama, and sheer footballing brilliance. Over the years, the likes of Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish have immortalised the role of being the Reds' main man, but now, it seems like another could well be following in their footsteps.

Three years ago, Darwin Nunez arrived at Anfield to much fanfare. While the powerful Uruguayan has scored plenty of crucial goals, his moments have been far too fleeting, and it appears that Liverpool has finally decided to cut ties with the former Benfica star. Now, their sights are seemingly set on Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak.

Impending Isak Deal

Liverpool are already considered favourites for the Premier League title next season, with the bookies pricing them at 2/1, while Arsenal and Manchester City are both narrowly behind at 9/4. However, the use of an online odds calculator parlay, such as the popular one at Thunderpick, shows just how tight things are at the top of the betting charts. This odds calculator shows that a £100 bet on the Reds would secure a £200 windfall if they were to reign supreme, while bets on either the Gunners or the Blues would secure £225, demonstrating just how little difference there is between the three title contenders.

Should the Swedish hitman arrive at Anfield, then odds on Liverpool going back-to-back would surely shorten. The former Real Sociedad man has been a revelation since arriving at St. James' Park, netting 62 goals in 109 games, including a career best 27 in 42 last season. Isak would certainly cost a pretty penny, with reported figures currently hovering upwards of £150m, but he would certainly be an upgrade on the outgoing Nunez.

Should Isak arrive, he would have huge boots to fill, boots that proved to be too big for Nunez. Here are two men who have shone leading the Reds' line in the modern era.

Luis Suárez

There are goal scorers, and then there are players who redefine how the game is played. Luis Suárez falls firmly into the latter category. Signed from Ajax in January 2011 for £22.8 million, Suárez brought unrivalled unpredictability to Liverpool’s attack. Over three-and-a-half scintillating seasons, the Uruguayan racked up an extraordinary 82 goals and 47 assists in just 133 appearances. His colossal average of 0.62 goals per game still ranks as the best among Liverpool’s modern forwards.

It wasn’t just his statistics that captivated fans—it was how he achieved them. Suárez’s 2013-14 season remains one of the greatest individual campaigns in Premier League history. His 31 goals, delivered with audacious flair and dazzling skill, brought him the European Golden Shoe. From pinpoint free kicks to a stunning four-goal haul against Norwich City, the former Nacional youngster had a sense for the spectacular like few others.

But Suárez’s contribution wasn’t purely offensive. His off-the-ball intensity and relentless pressing disrupted even the best defences, sparking Liverpool's thrilling charge to within two points of the title in 2014. He embodied the chaos and magic that make football a spectacle, and while that ultimately ended in heartbreak, Suarez left for Barcelona in 2014 as a hero.

When he did depart, he didn’t just leave a gap in Liverpool’s lineup—he left a gaping hole in their identity. Few strikers have managed to produce such drama, brilliance, and controversy in equal measure. While the Reds have managed to become stronger than ever in the decade since his absence, the glorious campaigns with Suarez up top will be forever etched in Anfield folklore.

Fernando Torres

Before Suárez, there was Fernando Torres—a name synonymous with blistering goalscoring exploits. When Liverpool shelled out £20 million to sign Torres from Atlético Madrid in 2007, it was a statement of intent. The Spaniard delivered spectacularly, scoring 81 goals in 142 games and a two-year stint where he was considered unquestionably the finest striker on the planet.

Torres had an almost telepathic connection with captain and talisman Steven Gerrard, with the pair combining some of Liverpool’s most memorable moments of the late 2000s. His acceleration and unerring ability to finish under pressure made him one of Europe’s most feared strikers. Whether it was his stunning solo effort on his debut against Chelsea or his amazing turn and finish against Inter Milan in the San Siro, the Spaniard delivered at the highest level time and again.

Yet, Torres’ Liverpool story wasn’t without heartbreak of its own. His record-breaking £50 million transfer to Chelsea in January 2011 left fans feeling betrayed, and he departed without the club's blessing, unlike Suarez. Luckily for the Reds, their beloved El Nino was a shadow of his former self at Stamford Bridge, and it turns out the club cashed in at the perfect opportunity.