Football fans didn't have to consume much media content last weekend to hear about Romelu Lukaku's performance against Crystal Palace.
The Belgian striker accumulated a total of just seven touches in 90 minutes against the Eagles. No player in Premier League history - dating back to when data first became available in 2003 has ever posted fewer having played a full match.
His team will come up against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon to decide the winners of this year's Carabao Cup, with his troublesome display against Palace perhaps offering an insight into why Jurgen Klopp has avoided signing a fixed striker throughout his time at Anfield.
Lukaku was purchased in the summer for around £97.5m according to reports. He arrived as the man who would deliver the English crown to Stamford Bridge, but issues have gradually emerged.
So far this season, 25 players in the Premier League have scored more non-penalty goals than Lukaku. He's averaging 2.1 shots per 90 at the moment, which places him 54th in the division, with Mohamed Salah top on 4.1 shots per 90.
Players who shoot more often than Lukaku when on the pitch include Leeds United's Mateusz Klich, Southampton's Mohamed Elyounoussi, and Watford's Josh King to name but a few.
Despite being signed for an eye-watering amount to finish Chelsea's moves, Lukaku isn't getting on the end of much. As a focal point striker, he's detached from Thomas Tuchel's game.
"The data speaks a certain language," said the Chelsea boss on the back of the Palace clash. "Lukaku was not involved, it's sometimes like this with strikers."
On Merseyside, Klopp has generally avoided buying strikers. Since taking charge in 2015, he's dedicated his transfer budget to forwards instead. In Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, the German has a wealth of versatile talent at his disposal.
Crucially, those players contribute greatly to Liverpool's performances even when they don't find the net. Each of Klopp's forwards can perform to a high standard without having to score.
Jose Mourinho once talked about the problem, stating: "Some strikers have to score, or their contribution to the team is not big."
Jamie Carragher is another who has touched on the topic. When Daniel Sturridge was struggling to get in Klopp's team, he stated: "The only reason to have Sturridge in the team now is for his finishing ability. You have to put things on a plate for him. When he doesn't score, it's like playing with 10 men."
Liverpool have deliberately opted against chasing strikers in the past few years, and that has allowed Klopp to install a playing style which is representative of total football in many ways. Everybody defends, everybody attacks.
When the Reds meet Chelsea at Wembley on the weekend, Tuchel will have to decide whether to include Lukaku after benching the Belgian international in the Champions League against Lille on Tuesday night.
If he does start, Liverpool will have the chance to show why forwards are the answer in the modern game, not strikers.
