Who could the Reds bring in to replace their misfiring Italian?
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers personally admitted that the £16 million signing of maverick striker Mario Balotelli from AC Milan this summer was a gamble – and it is looking increasingly likely that the Northern Irishman placed his chips on the wrong man.
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Balotelli has been disappointing pretty much from the off for the Reds, scoring his only goal to date in the narrow Champions League victory over minnows Ludogorets Razgrad, and put in a particularly abject display at QPR this afternoon that included one of the worst misses of the season.
Rodgers is likely to keep faith with the Italian at least until the January window, but if his performances do not pick up they will have to go out and find a more reliable foil for Daniel Sturridge – here are ten players we believed that Rodgers and his board should consider:
Andre Pierre Gignac (Olympique Marseille)
French striker Andre Pierre Gignac has been at the heart of Marseille’s unbelievable start to the French season, scoring in their eighth straight Ligue 1 victory against Toulouse today – he could be available on the cheap as his contract expires at the end of the season.
Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)
There has been talk that Inter are set to try and extend the contract of in form young striker Mauro Icardi, with the former Sapdoria man banging in the goals for Walter Mazzarri’s side next season. He certainly fits the young, dynamic ethos that Rodgers is trying to foster.
Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion)
England Under 21 international Saido Berahino has been banging in the goals for West Brom so far this season, largely keeping Alan Irvine and his side’s heads above water on his own. He would cost a lot, as a young English talent, but looks set to become a fine Premier League goalscorer.
Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint Germain)
Liverpool were linked with Lavezzi in the summer – and the Argentine international has come no closer to the regular first team spot at the Parc des Princes that he craves since. Could well be available in January and has plenty of ability.
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Despite signing a huge new contract at the Bernabeu this summer, speculation persists over French international striker Karim Benzema’s future at Real Madrid. He would be a huge signing for Liverpool and cost an eye-watering fee – but there is an argument that such a proven option is what they needed, rather than the gamble on Balotelli.
Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli)
Napoli’s failure to come through their Champions League qualification play-off against Athletic Bilbao this summer reportedly left star striker Gonzalo Higuain unsettled – and their current struggles for form under Rafa Benitez are unlikely to have helped the situation. The Argentine guarantees goals.
Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint Germain)
We find the idea that Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani could be allowed to leave PSG a surprising one – but reports persist that suggest the former Palermo and Napoli man is still not happy playing second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Much like Benzema, he would be a statement and almost a guaranteed success, but at some cost.
Alexandre Lacazette (Olympique Lyonnais)
Perhaps the most exciting young striker in French football right now, Lacaette is almost single handedly dragging a young Lyon side up the Ligue 1 table and has more than shade of Thierry Henry about him. Despite Lacazette being their biggest asset, Lyon are now a selling club and the Reds could surely prise him away.
Shinji Okazaki (Mainz)
The best striker in the Bundesliga right now, Japanese international Shinji Okazaki has an absolutely outstanding goalscoring record for unfashionable Mainz and deserves his shot at a bigger club at the age of 28. Would probably be affordable and is a fine finisher, but does he fit into Rodgers’ tactical set up?
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (FC Schalke 04)
Another striker who could be available on the cheap in January due to his contract expiring next summer, Dutch forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is as close to a guaranteed goalscorer as Liverpool are likely to get, despite the questionable nature of his all round game.