Which of these three forwards would you prefer on Anfield, Reds?
The list has been lengthy and at times, painstaking, this summer – but according to recent reports, the shortlist has been narrowed down to three.
The overpriced Christian Benteke, Colombian goal-machine Carlos Bacca and Zenit’s exotic Venezuelan Salomon Rondon.
The Liverpool Echo today ran a fan vote where they asked supporters to select which of the mentioned strikers they’d bring to the club this summer – or if they’d prefer somebody else completely.
In reverse order, here are the results…
Salomon Rondon – Zenit – 7%
The 25-year-old is very much the outside choice it seems. He currently plies his trade in Russia, where he’s been for the past three years since signing from Malaga in La Liga. He’s not prolific, but did reach a career best 20 goals in all competitions this season just gone, so it seems he’s reaching his peak. For Malaga, in a top league, he registered 27 goals in two terms. Decent, if not outstanding statistics. Rondon’s tall and powerful, and while he’s talented – he can be accused of laziness in the final third, which would not go down well at Anfield.
Christian Benteke – Aston Villa – 9%
With only two per cent more than Rondon comes Villa’s Belgian powerhouse. Reports in the Telegraph suggest we’re not very keen on paying his £32.5m release clause and as a result have turned our attentions to other targets. It seems Liverpool fans are similarly disinterested with paying such a fee for a relatively static striker who notched a modest 13 Premier League goals last term.
Somebody else… 31%
Almost a third of Liverpool fans who voted don’t want any of these three mentioned forwards. Other names include Alexandre Lacazette, who the Metro claim is now available, or the less glamorous Charlie Austin (via Star), who plundered goals aplenty for QPR last term. Carlos Tevez is signing for Boca Juniors (via Mirror), Mario Mandzukic is signing for Juventus (via BBC), Atletico and Arsenal are chasing Jackson Martinez (via Telegraph) but The Old Lady’s Fernando Llorente has been consistently linked (via Liverpool Echo)…
Carlos Bacca – Sevilla – 53%
Way out in front is the Colombian attacker Carlos Bacca, who’s excelled since his move to Sevilla from Club Brugge two seasons back. In that time, he’s fired 49 goals and led the Spaniards to consecutive Europa League titles. His finishing is exceptional, and while he doesn’t posses naturally devastating pace, he’s no slouch, and prides himself on clever movement and powerful shooting. Bacca can play as a lone centre-forward which would work perfectly in our 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations, but we’d be just as excited to see him form a partnership with a hopefully fit Daniel Sturridge.
To read a full, in depth scout report on Bacca, click here.
