This season more so than any other has seen an explosion of great goal-scoring talent spring up all over Europe. There’s Robin Van Persie scoring goals for fun in the Premier League, Mario Gomez who can’t stop scoring for Bayern Munich, Edison Cavani over in Italy and the likes of Fernando Llorente making a name for himself over at Athletico Bilbao. As for Liverpool, they’re somewhat lacking in this department and it’s beginning to look more and more likely that this is something they’ll look to redress in the summer transfer window.
I think it’s fair to say that Andy Carroll hasn’t performed up to Liverpool’s high standards and even though Luis Suarez has offered the Red’s more dynamism going forward, he’s not exactly rolling in goals. So who should they look to bring in when the transfer window re-opens?
After Manchester United’s were beaten home and away by a lively Athletico Bilbao side many fans are no doubt casting their gaze enviously in the direction of Fernando Llorente. Whilst he’s a fantastic young talent, I’m not sure if he’s a realistic target, or even if he’s particularly well suited to the Liverpool set-up.
Just consider how highly prized Llorente is. He worked his way through the youth ranks at Bilbao, made his debut back in 2005 and some seven years later has made 227 appearances for the club and is arguably their most important player. Suffice to say, Bilbao wont be looking to sell him any time soon – at any price. Their squad is only getting stronger and they’re clearly going places so it’s uncertain if Llorente will even fancy a move. Besides, what Liverpool really need is a natural goal-scorer.
For all his ability Llorente has only grabbed 78 goals in 227 appearances (though 22 goals in 37 appearances this season is a step in the right direction). Contrast this to Valencia striker Roberto Soldado, a player I’d much rather see Liverpool go after, who has scored 30 goals in 59 appearances. On the basis of their current career standings, Llorente will give you a goal every three games, whilst Soldado will grab a goal every two games. Given that Liverpool need goals, isn’t this distinction important?
Soldado is a natural goal-scorer who is capable of scoring all kinds of goals (from tap-ins to long-range efforts). His instincts are great and he has a Javier Hernandez-esque ability to work space for himself in opponent penalty areas. He’s also got the technical ability to beat people and create moments of magic. In short, he’s exactly the kind of player who Liverpool need. What’s your take? Would Soldado be a better option for Liverpool than Llorente? Or should the Reds be looking elsewhere?
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Any striker than Carroll! Soldado with Suarez could be an exciting prospect though.
not gonna happen. liverpool won’t get a champions league place and valencia will.
i wouldn’t bet on any of the english clubs who make it to the CL to go for him.
so that leaves less possible destinations. i reckon he’ll still be a valencia player next season. he could end up at a moneybags team like PSG i suppose.
oh and of course soldado would be an excellent addition to liverpool. carroll’s not anywhere near the same class.
but, like i say, don’t think it will happen.
I still like the idea of a young star like munian or even Hazard if liverpool is to invest big on one attacking player.
Though no cl is going to probably mean finding a diamond in the rough kind of.
Carroll not good enough. He cant even defend when crouch beat him to equalize during FA game aganist Stoke. Did anyone see Carroll jumped an inch?
Dump him ! and get a better tall striker. In worse scenario, bring crouch or torres back, if we cant afford the llorente,cavani etc..
If Carroll stopped drinking in Liverpool nightclubs then perhaps he would improve. No CL equals no decent signings!
I have been saying this guy for ages now. He is clinical as they come.
We atracted suarez wthout out cl football so why cant we atract any big players? Lfc will always be a big club regardless of wut the media says its all about making the rite offers after all didnt llorente say bilboa didnt want him to leave so lfc opted fr carol didnt say he wuldnt go because of cl football bt be positive ynwa but i know every young upcoming star want to play on the biggest stage and didnt comoli came out recently claiming there are big players in uerope wanting to join our project henry will make sure well get one or 2 believe that
I dont know if the stories about andy carroll are true or a pack of lies made up by blue s…e but i have heard on the grapevine that the ponytail is often seen in nightclubs boozing and in the casinos throwing his money about,i hope these stories are untrue but going on the condition of the man i do worry,we were all young once and at that age you do feel like superman with a few pints down your neck on a saturday night before
you are due to play on a sunday morning so i think i can see the signs,the owners need to get involed with this player because i think the king
is showing to much loyalty to the big geordie and
after all 35 million is a lot of money for a big fairy who couldnt hit a barn door.
Anyone who can finish will work well with Suarez who creates chances after chances in nearly every game. Suarez’s own finishing needs to improve in his game tho.
I can’t see us going for Llorente seen as tho we have Andy Carroll, the money spent on him could have been greatly spent on Llorente. Soldado looks the real deal, wasn’t so sure about him in the past but he’s done great. It’s amazing how Valencia keep pulling out a rabbit from the hat after every big name player that makes his name with Valencia ends up leaving for alot of money, like Silva, David Villa, Mata to name a few, and the club makes another prosper like Soldado.
There are so many top class strikers out there.Pay the money and they’re yours.I’m fed up with this talk of European football,Champions league..etc..Liverpool is one of the greatest clubs in the world,fact.Also,do you think that if we bid 40 million for Cavani/Gomez/Soldado/Falcao/Llorente/…and other top class strikers,ALL OF THEM ARE GONNA SAY NO??i dont think so.pay the money and they’re yours,simple as that.Champions League is an honour for any football player to play but can you tell me how City bought Tevez/Robinho/Kompany…and other top class players without Champions League footy.Why didnt they end up in Man utd/Arsenal/Tottenham/Chelsea who finished inside top 4?Because money is everything in football these days,pay the money and you can buy most players you want.
Liverpool aint a club in a bad position right now.Optimism lies ahead in all our minds and noone can tell me that this Liverpool squad aint got talent.If i compare this Liverpool squad with Rafa’s squad,i cant remember creating so many chances under Rafa.We had Nando upfront and when Stevie,Xabi or even Reina passed him the ball,he simply put it to the back of the net.Cant forget his goals against Blackburn,Sunderland,United…etc.If we had Torres at his prime with some chances being created now,he would have scored 40 goals already,lol!What this squad lacks,as we all know,is a goal poacher.A player to do the simple thing,put it to the back of the net.Andy’s been a dissapointment(as expected)after arriving from Newcastle for the 35 million we spent on him and Luis is more like a creator than a finisher.put Suarez behind a top class finisher and you’ll see how good he is.To be honest,i’d be happy to have players like Adam,Henderson,Carroll on the bench,but these players aint starters,definitely.And if we could,i’d sell no one from this squad,simply add.Give Kuyt a contract extension too.He is so useful when coming on,always giving his 100% for the shirt,we need him.
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
A.Johnson Gerrard Lucas Downing
Suarez
Soldado
Subs:Doni Kelly Coates Carragher Robinson Kuyt Henderson Adam Spearing Maxi Bellamy Carroll
Mancini seems to waste Adam Johnson’s talent at City.A move to Liverpool could be realistic and he is a great player,i’d love to have him and Downing on the wings.Also in the strikers position,i’d love one of those 5 in this order:
1.Edinson Cavani
2.Radamel Falcao
3.Roberto Soldado
4.Mario Gomez
5.Gonzalo Higuain
YNWA
We need fast, creative and smart players up front if we were to squeeze in EPL top 4. IMO, we’re still 3-4 astute signings away from the long awaited Premiership crown.
DMC – Javier Martinez
Wingers – Iker Munain, E.Lavezzi
Striker – either Cavani, Llorente or Huntelaar
Cavani
Munain Suarez Lavezzi
Lucas Martinez
Enrique Agger Skrtel Johnson
Reina
Subs: Doni, Coates, Kelly, Henderson,Gerrard, Downing, Hoillet and Carroll.