Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has ranked some of the best Premier League forwards in history, sharing his thoughts on some of football’s biggest names.
Known for his towering presence and keen eye for goal during his playing days, Crouch scored 42 goals in 134 appearances for Liverpool between 2005 and 2008 and is no stranger to top-level striking talent.
Joining the Reds from Southampton for £7 million, the ex-England international was part of the squad that lifted the FA Cup in 2006 and reached the Champions League final in 2007.
Crouch, now a podcaster and pundit, recently spoke to Mail Sport and was asked to rank his greatest Premier League strikers. When prompted with the comparison between Luis Suárez and Wayne Rooney, he was decisive in his response — Wayne Rooney.
Luis Suárez’s three-and-a-half seasons at Liverpool was marked by remarkable goal-scoring feats, including a Premier League record-equalling 31 goals in the 2013–14 season, and his partnership with Daniel Sturridge was one of the most feared attacking duos in the league. Suárez’s versatility, tactical intelligence, and relentless hunger for goals earned him plaudits from then-manager Brendan Rodgers, who called him “a complete striker.”
Despite all this, Crouch gave the edge to the former England captain when asked to pick the better player. Rooney, who enjoyed a stellar career, was known for his all-around game, tenacity, and knack for scoring crucial goals. His 208 goals in 491 appearances puts him third on the Premier League all-timer scoring charts, behind only Alan Shearer and Harry Kane.
The debate between Rooney and Suárez remains highly subjective and Crouch’s preference for Rooney perhaps reflects the Englishman’s all around qualities, versatility, and longevity. Rooney’s ability to score, create, and drop deep to influence play made him a unique forward of his generation.
Both players have left indelible marks on the Premier League and are regarded as legends. Whether you side with Suárez’s electrifying style or Rooney’s tenacity and footballing intelligence, the debate will always divide fans.
