Buy Him, Brendan: How This €41M Liverpool Target Showed His PL Pedigree Last Night

Liverpool have struggled offensively since the start of the new campaign, with the club failing to adequately replace their talismanic striker Luis Suarez over the summer.

The Uruguayan left Anfield to move to Catalan giants Barcelona, and having fired them to an unlikely title challenge last season, it was obvious that the Reds would have to bring in another equally talented striker to maintain their forward momentum.

What they got instead was Rickie Lambert, who is a good option in reserve, and Mario Balotelli, who has undoubtedly struggled to impress since his move from AC Milan towards the end of the summer transfer window.

At £16 million, his purchase seemed like something of a no brainer, given the undoubted quality that he possesses somewhere in his game, but his display against Queens Park Rangers at the weekend summed up his inability to settle.

Not only did he miss chance after chance, but he regularly chose to shoot when the opportunity wasn’t there, stopping teammates from breaking through in the process.

It is therefore unsurprising that Liverpool are reportedly targeting further striking recruits in January, and one player that has been regularly mentioned for that is Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

There have always been some doubts over Benzema, who has never truly settled since moving to Real for €41 million from Lyon in 2009.

It seems, in theory, like it would be the easiest task in the world to score on a regular basis while being fed by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso, as he has been over the last few years.

75 goals in 165 games is not the most exceptional of returns either, although it would be an improvement on all of Liverpool’s current options, except for Daniel Sturridge.

However, last night Benzema proved his worth as a striker, in the ground where he could soon find himself plying his trade.

It was the nature of the goals that was particularly impressive – poachers efforts that did not give him any time to think.

In comparison with Balotelli, who is regularly caught dallying on the ball when given opportunities, he was clinical and quick to strike.

The first, a looping header at the back post, showed that he has the physical stature to handle the English game.

His second strike, which he turned in from a corner, showed a predatory instinct, a knowledge of where the goal was and the ability to put any opportunity away, something Liverpool currently miss, with Sturridge out injured.

Like Suarez before him, Benzema also works for his team, telling the press after the game, “I give my all whenever I’m on the field.”

Balotelli does not press like Suarez did, and in part, that hinders the side.

If Brendan Rodgers can get together the expected £30 million fee for Benzema, Real might be tempted into selling after their huge summer outlay.

With the likes of Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho providing opportunities around him, Benzema would get the chances to score.

That would undoubtedly improve Liverpool’s forward options, and therefore help Liverpool reach the heights that they did on a regular basis last season.

Spoughts
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