Liverpool: 3 Forwards Who Can Give Sturridge A Run For His Money

Liverpool have added faces to their squad and have intensified the fight for first-team places, with astute signings such as Emre Can, Lazar Markovic, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, etc. However, one place where their reinforcements do not seem enough is in the role of the striker, where Daniel Sturridge is the only first-team-worthy striker. Rickie Lambert is not at a stage where he can play week-in, week-out as the first choice, and Fabio Borini has shown rare glimpses of the talent for which he was signed. Liverpool need to get one quality first-team striker, who can give Sturridge a run for his money, and compete for a first-team place. FootballFriendsOnline found three options that Rodgers could look at:

1. Radamel Falcao: AS Monaco are willing to loan him out on a season-long deal for £12million. If Falcao could choose where he wanted to go, Real Madrid would be at the top of his list. Liverpool are getting  Divuck Origi next season, which makes a season-long loan for Falcao a sensible option. It might go against all that FSG has done so far (preference to youth), but it would be good if they can get a player like Falcao. In the peak of his career, he could perform up to Liverpool’s expectations, with his ability to outmuscle opposition defenders. He has good shot accuracy, too, as seen by his Squawka stats in which he took 50 shots in the Ligue 1 last season, of which 30 were on target. Injuries wrecked the end of his season and denied him a chance to participate in the World Cup.

2. Edinson Cavani: Edinson Cavani seems to be displeasure at being made to play second-fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, throughout last season. Obviously, he cannot replace Zlatan, but he could have been given a more central role than last season. Cavani has expressed a willingness to leave if he receives a good offer, and Liverpool can make him an offer he wouldn’t want to refuse. He doesn’t fade out during games, putting in runs tirelessly. He has good all-round play and could supplement Sturridge. However, his playing style is unlike Luis Suarez, as he provides a foil to Suarez when they play together for Uruguay. If Rodgers chooses to play them both together, Sturridge and Cavani might take time to adjust to each other’s style of play. However, there will be no stopping them once they start firing in tandem.

3. Marco Reus: At this time, this is the most unrealistic, yet the most perfect addition. Reus possesses all the attributes that could make him a success at Liverpool. He can play behind the striker, on the wings and as a striker, if required. He scores goals, grabs assists, takes on and beats defenders for fun and is exceptional at dead-ball kicks. He would be the perfect distraction for opposition defences, as he is capable of creating havoc if used judiciously. Unfortunately, his future has been subject to speculation, with Bayern revealing details about his transfer clause to set the cat among the pigeons at Dortmund. Reus has declared that he wishes to stay at Dortmund, and has supposedly denied a move to the Premier League, but Rodgers’ persuasion skills could be put to use here.

Liverpool have also looked at cheaper options than those given above, such as Ezequiel Lavezzi and Wilfried Bony, but any of these two players will not be a significant addition to the team. Rodgers knows that he should spend big, to show that he means business and catapult Liverpool’s hopes higher than the top-4 place they are currently in for. All of the three players mentioned above may be difficult to sign, but Rodgers could use Liverpool’s progress as a team, to sign any of them.