Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager.
Liverpool will have a difficult task of procuring a top centre-forward to lead the line next season but may struggle given players on their wishlist are either already at a European giant, or are being coveted by bigger clubs than the Reds.
Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge are the two natural choices for Liverpool but have scored just 10 goals between them this season which highlights the need for a new face. But who can the Merseysiders attract this summer?
Firmino, Origi, Sturridge not good enough as strikers
Liverpool don’t have a striker in the team posting a good enough goal return in to help the side challenging for the Premier League title and Champions League in 2017/18. Their top scorer in the squad was Philippe Countinho and Sadio Mane, two attacking-midfielder who play in wider roles than up top, scoring just 26 goals between them in a 38-game season. Roberto Firmino, who was Liverpool’s first-choice striker, netted just 11 times for his troubles.
=1st. Philippe Coutinho – 31 appearances, 13 goals, 7 assists
=1st. Sadio Mane – 27 appearances, 13 goals, 5 assists
3rd. Roberto Firmino – 35 appearances, 11 goals, 7 assists
=4th. Divock Origi – 34 appearances, 7 goals, 3 assists
9th. Daniel Sturridge 20 appearances, 3 goals, 1 assist
Liverpool can’t attract a 20-goal-a-season man
Liverpool’s lack of consistent European football in recent seasons has hampered their transfer policy. The Merseysiders have struggled to attract stellar names and have been made to settle for players from sides who finished below them in the Premier League table – Georginio Wijnaldum from Newcastle United, Sadio Mane from Southampton.
The Reds also signed European-based stars from lowly clubs in their respective top divisions –Lorius Karius from Mainz 05, Ragnar Klavan from Augsburg and Joel Matip from Schalke and aren’t going to be an attractive proposition for a world-class striker as a result. Liverpool have been linked with a host of names but realistically are going to struggle to bring them to Anfield.
Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is believed to be a transfer target but the likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain can offer greater sums than Liverpool. Olympique Lyonnais’ Alexandre Lacazette has long been a Liverpool target but could be on his way to Atletico Madrid if the Spaniards can get a U-turn on their transfer ban.
His reported £85million asking price might scare Liverpool off from making an approach. Liverpool are 4/5 to finish in the top-four of the Premier League next season and are outsiders according to the bookmakers. If they can sign a prolific frontman, they stand a better chance of challenge on all fronts.
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