Each passing day, Liverpool have been linked with a possible striker target as they get ready to lead life without Luis Suarez. They have already made progress with Celta Vigo striker Aspas and they are seriously pursuing Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan who can be a vital member of the squad in the coming seasons along with the recently linked Madrid forward Alvaro Morata. But so far, there have been not been a single sign of the Reds moving in for big name players. Yes, they do not feature in the Champions league to attract star players, but then to replace someone like Suarez are Liverpool doing enough? Well, here is a wildcard option that the Merseyside could pursue. A striker with proven records in the Premier League and Aston Villa’s Belgian hitman Christian Benteke would prove to be one quality addition to the side. Although, not on par with the likes of Higuain, Jovetic, Lewandowski and Cavani, the Villa forward has actually proved his worth in the Premier league unlike others and we take a look at three features that make Benteke’s signature into the current Liverpool side so very valuable.
Precision
Benteke has scored 23 goals in the previous season in all competitions and 19 among them in the Premier League with only 3 players above him on the list. This is an astonishing figure for a player who had just moved to arguably the most competitive league in the world from the Belgian league. To make matters more impressive, Benteke has done all this with Aston Villa, who could practically provide no midfield support to the Belgian. With Liverpool having such a young and exciting midfield, Benteke is sure to be equally, if not more, effective for the Merseyside club.
Benteke’s rate of a goal every 1.7 games for Villa last season is in fact not far away from that of Suarez’s record of a strike every 1.5 matches for Liverpool over the same period. That pretty much sums up about what am trying to tell.
Physicality
Liverpool have a side that may boast a very youthful and talented set of players, but when it comes to the physical acumen, they are far from the desired level. It is evident from the way they struggled in the previous season against teams like Stoke City and even Oldham Athletic, who take the attack to the opposition. With Benteke in the side, it will actually give the Reds’ attack an extra dimension.
Versatility
It is no secret that Rodgers prefers a side full of players who may operate in any given position on any day and Benteke would exactly fit the bill. He can play as the sole striker or as one of the front men in the 4-3-3 system. If Liverpool go on to acquire Benteke and lose Suarez, then they will boast of three attacking players, namely Sturridge, Aspas and Benteke. So if, versatility is of primary importance then Benteke would have no shortage of it.
Of course this is just a hypothetical post as there are not many rumours linking Benteke and the Reds and there may be enough number of points talking against this move, but as a Liverpool fan what do you guys suggest?
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