After losing Luis Suarez last summer, Brendan Rodgers reached out into the transfer window to sign Mario Balotelli. It was a £16m gamble that just hasn’t paid off.
The Italian ace was a regular goalscorer during his time in Serie A, but the goals have dried up since his return to the Premier League. His character has also come under intense scrutiny and Liverpool fans won’t have liked what they have seen.
Luckily, Brendan Rodgers can also call upon Daniel Sturridge, who is a genuinely world class striker. Without him, The Reds would have struggled big time this year. Still, Liverpool could certainly use a new back-up option.
This brings me to The Metro‘s claim that Liverpool are still in the market to sign Real Madrid’s star striker, Karim Benzema. The source suggests that his current paymasters are willing to let him go at the end of the season.
It’s hard to see why Carlo Ancelotti would want to cash-in on him at this stage. Whilst his profile isn’t as big as Cristiano Ronaldo’s or Gareth Bale’s, he’s been a reliable performer for a number of years now. He’s spent 6 years at The Bernabeu and he’s accrued an impressive goalscoring record.
In 275 appearances for Madrid, he’s found the back of the net 131 times. He hasn’t slowed down this season either. He’s played 40 times and he’s scored 20 goals. He’s a seriously effective presence. If he’s not wanted in La Liga, surely there’s a Premier League side that will have him?
Maybe that side is Liverpool. According to the aforementioned source, The Reds could snap up Karim Benzema up if they’re willing and able to shell out £34.5m. That’s a huge amount of money, but quality doesn’t come cheap. If Brendan Rodgers were able to close this deal, he’d be making a serious statement of intent.
With Daniel Sturridge and Karim Benzema leading their line next season, who knows what they’ll be capable of?
What’s your take? Should Brendan Rodgers pursue this big-money deal?
Please follow @ThePerfectPass for more football related action!
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
Its true balotelli hasnt done the business but whos to say benzema would either. Yes hes good in la liga where they play a slower game just as balotelli was in serie a where the game is again slower. Its a massive gamble and we need big names at LFC but whenever we have gone in for them we havent got them. Its all pie in the sky as far as im concerned as fsg wont pay the players we have big wages so what would make anyone think we would pay big money AND big wages to bring someone in. BR is getting it right slowly and i think it will stay that way for a while yet. Big names will arrive when the anfield expansion is finished imo and the money is there to finance them. Hope not but thats probably as real as it is for now. YNWA