Cavani, Benzema and Bony all included…
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Following the breakdown of the Loic Remy deal, the Liverpool Echo have published a list of the 9 strikers Brendan Rodgers could sign instead.
Here’s how we rank them from 9-1, in terms of how good a transfer they’d be for the Reds.
9) Dani Osvaldo – Southampton
The Italian is no longer wanted at Southampton, but if he couldn’t do it on the South Coast, there seems little evidence to suggest he could do it on Merseyside. Besides, the Reds are signing enough of Ronald Koeman’s players…
8) Jay Rodriguez – Southampton
Another Saint to be linked, Rodriguez did score 15 Premier League goals last season, but mainly from the left wing. Liverpool already have players like Coutinho, Lazar Markovic, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling who can already contribute from this position.
7) Alexandre Lacazette – Lyon
Pacy and talented, the 23-year-old did well in Ligue 1 last season, and because of his pace and dribbling, is relatively similar to Remy anyway. Wouldn’t be the worst option in the world for the Reds.
6) Klaas jan Huntelaar – Schalke
A proven, prolific goalscorer, if Huntelaar wasn’t in his thirties, he could well be further up this list. His lack of mobility and work-rate though means he might not fit into Rodgers’ style.
5) Wilfried Bony – Swansea
The Ivorian powerhouse scored 25 goals in all competitions for Swansea last season, and has been heavily linked to Liverpool as a result. He can finish off either foot, hold the ball up, and head – although he possesses little magic, and relies predominantly on good service into him.
4) Romelu Lukaku – Chelsea
Like Bony, Lukaku prides himself on his power, rather than perhaps his skill. He’s very talented, but there would be questions about how he’d fit into Liverpool’s slick, counter attacking style. At only 21-years-old, however, he clearly has the potential to develop into a truly elite forward, and his future at Chelsea is by no means certain. Merseyside rivals Everton are favourites to secure him, however.
3) Mario Balotelli – AC Milan
He’s remarkably unreliable, capable of performing awfully, and is totally undisciplined. In terms of wow factor, and ‘potential’ though, signing Balotelli would be hugely exciting for Liverpool fans. Rodgers got the best out of fellow maverick Luis Suarez, and honed bad boy teenager Raheem Sterling too. Worth the risk…?
2) Karim Benzema – Real Madrid
The Real Madrid man is unlikely to be available, but if he is – the Reds should move heaven and earth to sign him. It was recently reported however that the Frenchman would turn down a move to the Reds as the club isn’t big enough for him. Ouch.
1) Edinson Cavani – PSG
Cavani moved to PSG last summer for £57m, but due to Zlatan Ibrahimovic occupying the centre-forward role, he had to content himself on the right wing. He’s more than good enough to be deployed centrally, and would surely be the most exciting direct replacement for his international teammate Luis Suarez, who has of course moved to Barcelona.
