The Return of Luis Suárez

Ahead of the Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur match on Monday night, we look at the return of Luis Suárez and how Liverpool have fared in the Premier League in his absence.

Luis Suárez returns to the Liverpool squad for Monday night’s game at home to Tottenham Hotspur following a much publicised eight-game suspension.

Castrol EDGE Performance data shows that the Uruguayan is vital to Liverpool’s chances of finishing in the top four of the Premier League. Most significantly, Liverpool score a goal in the Premier League every 70 minutes when Suárez plays, compared with a goal every 86 minutes when he does not. As a result, Liverpool with Suárez have a win ratio of 44% and an average 1.72 points per game, whereas Liverpool without Suárez have a win ratio of 40% and an average 1.4 points per game.

Liverpool with & without Suarez – 2011/12

Liverpool PL 2011/12

With Suárez

Without Suárez

Games

18

5

Wins

8

2

Draws

7

1

Losses

3

2

Win %

44%

40%

Loss%

17%

40%

Points per game

1.72

1.40

Liverpool PL 2011/12

With Suárez

Without Suárez

Minutes

1466

604

Goals scored

21

7

Mins per goal

70

86

Suarez’s attacking threat is confirmed by the fact that he averages 4.5 shots per game, which is second only to Robin van Persie in the Premier League. He has also won the third highest number of free kicks (41), demonstrating that his quick feet are a constant problem for opposition defenders. The Uruguayan can also count himself as the unluckiest player in the league, hitting the woodwork more than any other (5).

Premier League Most Shots – 2011/12

Player

Team

Total shots

Games

Shots per game

van Persie, Robin

Arsenal

104

23

4.52

Suárez, Luis

Liverpool

81

18

4.50

Rooney, Wayne

Manchester Utd

90

20

4.50

Premier League Free Kicks Won – 2011/12

Player

Team

Free-kicks won

Games

Free-kicks won/game

Gutiérrez, Jonás

Newcastle Utd

58

22

2.64

Moses, Victor

Wigan Athletic

55

23

2.39

Suárez, Luis

Liverpool

41

18

2.28

Premier League Woodwork Hit – 2011/12

Player

Team

Hit Woodwork

Suárez

Liverpool

5

Ba

Newcastle United

4

van Persie

Arsenal

4

Suarez in the Premier League – 2011/12

PL 2011/12

Luis Suárez

Team

Liverpool

Appearances

18

Starts

17

Minutes On Pitch

1,465

Goal Attempts

Goals

5

Mins per goal

293

Total shots (including blocked)

81

Shots per game

4.5

Shooting Accuracy

41%

Passing

Touches

1006

Touches per game

55.9

Goal Assists

1

Chances created

36

Total Passes

620

Pass Completion %

77%

Discipline

Fouls

24

Fouls won

41

Offside

32

Yellow Cards

2

Red Cards

0

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