Luis Suarez v Javier Hernandez [Revisited] Who’s better?

Suarez… Hernandez? That’s what Liverpool and Manchester United fans have been arguing as both are taking the Barclays Premier League by storm. Although Hernandez has had more time to settle in England, having being bought for only £9millon from Guadalajara in the summer, Suarez has taken like the proverbial duck to life in England’s top flight since his £23million move from Ajax in January. Both arrived with fearsome goal scoring records and good showings at the 2010 FIFA World Cup – Suarez in particular after his 49-goal season, but impressively Hernandez at just 21 had notched 26 goals in 64 for Guadalajara and had already established himself as integral to the Mexico setup. So who is ‘better’?

Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez (22) in his debut season for Manchester United will add the Premier League title and possibly a Champions League title to his trophy cabinet and it seems inevitable that they will be the first of many honours he will win with United. After a slow-ish start to the season, Hernandez’s endeavour, hard-work and knack of grabbing vital goals has now seen him become a key part of the Manchester United setup. Recently starting in important games such as against Chelsea where he scored within 1 minute shows he has overtaken Berbatov in Ferguson’s starting XI.

But how do his stats rack up? Hernandez in the league has scored 13 in 26 games, with 12 appearances coming as a sub. His strike rate of 1 in 2 is impressive and his shots/goals ratio tots up at 2.8 goals for every 10 shots… not too bad – particularly when you compare this to Suarez who has found the net only once every 10 shots. Like United legend Ole Solskjaer he’s a goal-poacher. He relies of the quality of service given to him and his natural ability to be in the right place at the right time to bag his fare share of goals. however Hernandez is not just a out and out poacher, he plays with a footballing intelligence that surpasses his years; his movement off the ball opens up spaces for others to score, Vidic’s goal against Chelsea highlights this as Hernandez drew away two defenders opening up the space for Vidic to tuck the ball away.

In comparison Luis Suarez (23) since his arrival in January has become a bit of a talisman for the Reds as his tireless running at defenders and unselfish play is appreciated by both fans and teammates. Although his strike rate is less clinical than Hernandez’s, he has still managed to net 4 in 11 and whilst contributing 5 assists, greatly eclipsing Hernandez’s 1. Jamie Carragher recently stated that “If he keeps playing like that, I think he’ll be a bigger legend than I’ll ever be… he’s adaptable and versatile, he can do different jobs for the team”.

Suarez’s contribution to Liverpool’s resurgence under Kenny Dalglish looks even more impressive as Liverpool have picked up an average of 2.1 points per game whilst he has been in the side. Suarez’s strength is in his ability to attack defenders in a way that Hernandez doesn’t. He terrorized the United back line last month and ensured a similarly unpleasant evening for Hangeland and Hughes on Monday night as Liverpool won 5-2. The quality of his dribbling, his flair and creativity and his ability to work and commit defenders to open up the space for his teammates shows him to be the more complete player. It must be remembered it is still early days for the Liverpool striker’s Anfield career but if he continues in the same vain then maybe Carragher’s right and he is a legend in the making.

If both players continue their progression as they are doing, then next season we could see an interesting battle at the top of the Premier League and the scoring charts as Liverpool will look to kick on from this season and United will look to secure yet another league title. Hernandez will score more but Suarez’s overall contribution and ability sets him apart as the ‘better’ player. Goals may win titles – but didn’t we all hate that kid in the playground who just goal-hanged?

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