It’s safe to this season has been a disappointing one for Liverpool and their fans. Having come so close to winning the Premier League a year ago, the Reds have failed to kick-on and find themselves heading into the Europa League unless they can somehow overhaul a four point-point deficit to Manchester United in their final games.
Losing Luis Suarez was always going to make it difficult for Brendan Rodgers to ensure his side could sustain the level of performance they thrilled us with last season, and with their other main man Daniel Sturridge missing most of the season through injury, they’ve struggled to live to expectation.
A dismal exit from the Champions League after so long away from the competition was disappointing, but the performances in crucial league matches against Arsenal and Manchester United in particular were even more so and proved most damaging in their bid for another top four finish.
And then their was their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Aston Villa, which put an end to Steven Gerrard’s hopes of a fairytale end to his Liverpool career.
The main problem for the Merseyside outfit has been upfront, and their inability to replace last season’s player of the year after he left for Barcelona.
Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli never looked like proving the answer in the summer, and their ineffectiveness has only proved that, with the pair struggling to make an impact on the first team.
Despite the impending arrival of Divock Origi this summer, Liverpool are in desperate need of at least one more top class striker, and should look no further than their cup conquerors for the answer.
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Villa’s Christian Benteke is the man they need, and bringing him to Anfield is something they should be making a priority.
Tim Sherwood’s men continued their recent revival with a vital three-two win over Everton at the weekend as they battle to avoid the drop. And it was Benteke who was the hero once again, as he took his tally for the season to 12 goals in the league, and 11 in his last nine matches.
The Belgian is in red-hot form and has proved himself to be one of the best strikers in the division; something that will certainly make it hard for Villa to hang onto him this summer.
The 24-year-old is at the stage in his career where he must be considering a move to the next level, a team that has aspirations of challenging for a top four spot; and is a player that will no doubt make a difference to Liverpool.
They may well miss out on the Champions League qualification this season, but given Villa have been involved in a relegation battle; this probably wouldn’t put Benteke off a move to Anfield.
And given their lack of fire power upfront this season, were he to sign for the Red’s; he looks guaranteed to be a regular in the starting 11 which would be a huge factor in his decision.
At Wembley, Benteke showed Liverpool first hand just what he could bring to their team, scoring a decisive equaliser before using his pace on the break to play a part in Fabian Delph’s winner.
Quick, strong, clinical, great in the air and adept at holding up the ball and bringing his teammates into play, Benteke has all the credentials to succeed at Anfield, and he could finally be the man to at least fill some of the void left by Suarez.
He won’t come cheap, but even at £30m would have to represent more value for money than the £16m they forked out for Balotelli last summer, and as someone who can guarantee you 20 goals a season it’s definitely a price worth paying.
He’s got proven Premier League experience so there will be no question marks regarding his ability to perform in the division, and having led the line so effectively at Villa, his goal-scoring record is certainly one to admire.
It’s sure to be a busy summer at Liverpool this summer with plenty of comings and goings, but singing Benteke would lay down an early marker and show they mean business next season.
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