Do We Really Need To Buy A Striker In January?
EVER since the transfer window slammed shut at the end of August, all the talk has been of how we are in desperate need of another striker. This was the case before Andy Carroll left for West Ham United on loan and even more so since his deadline day move to the Capital.
The unfortunate injury to Fabio Borini only added to our problem of being rather thin when it comes to attacking options. However, I’m not entirely convinced that we need to go out and spend a fortune on a striker. I am on side that we need another proven goal scorer, but more somebody who can take the pressure off Luis Suarez, should he need to be rested, be suspended, or injured.
If Rodgers is to make another high profile signing come January, and should this be an out an out striker, what will happen to Suarez? We all know Rodgers sets up with three attacking players, with Suarez through the middle.
If we sign a classic number 9 then surely Luis will be pushed out wide, with Suso the most likely to make way. Would a role out wide suit Suarez more than him playing through the middle? He certainly has the technique, trickery and skill. But for me I think we lack a goal scoring midfielder rather than a goal scoring forward.
For people who question if Luis is a goalscorer, I ask you this question: Do you really have any football knowledge?
Luis has made 283 appearances in his professional career for club & country to date and scored 157 goals. 55 of these appearances have come in a red shirt with a return of 23 goals. Given the circumstances that we currently find ourselves in as a club, I think that is pretty impressive. Luis came to Liverpool when we were in turmoil. We had not long had new owners in place as well as a new manager. Since he has been around we have not been a club that has enjoyed a settled period of time.
Who was our other proven goal scoring forward when Torres was at the club? We didn’t have one. In fact during the 2008-09 season when we finished 2nd, Torres was second in the league scoring charts behind Steven Gerrard. But others such as Dirk Kuyt (12 goals), Yossi Benayoun (8) and Robbie Keane (5) all contributed when called upon.
Looking at the bigger picture I think the biggest attribute to us lacking goals is Steven Gerrard. For years he has led the way, he has been the driving force and the heartbeat of our club. During his peak he was the only player who could take a game by the scruff of the neck and single handedly produce a positive outcome. He is now at a point in his career where he needs others to step up to the mark. He is no longer the player who will get you 15+ goals in a season.
We need to be patient and realise that we are not going to have success over night. Hopefully Raheem Sterling can find the goal scoring touch for the first team that he displayed at both youth and reserve level. If we can get an attacking midfielder with an eye for goal in January this will certainly be a big bonus in my opinion. For me Allen, Sahin and now Gerrard to, do not offer too much of a goal scoring threat.
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November 15th, 2012
150%
November 15th, 2012
possibly the stupidest question ive ever heard . we need at least 2 top top strikers
no cheap rubbish like gary hooper
November 15th, 2012
I thought the same!
November 15th, 2012
totally agree
November 16th, 2012
we need martinez from porto,ince from blackpool,djuricic from herenvenin,that finish goal poacher 18 yrs,ogbonna,lloris from spurs and this costs 47 m.how do we raise this? sell pepe for 12m to arsenal,sell enrique for 5m,sell downing for 9m,sell hendo for 8m,cole for 4m and we get 38 m.the difference is 9m and surely the owners cant fail to give us this if they are serious.
November 16th, 2012
we wouldn’t get 4 pounds for cole
November 15th, 2012
Hmmmm, whatever made you think we need a proven goalscorer upfront to help Luis out? Perhaps the fact that we are failing to win games that we have dominated against Man Utd, Man City and other teams? Or is it our poor goalscoring ratio?
As you rightly point out, in seasons past we have had other players like Dirk Kuyt (who scored crucial goals in big games and was a big loss for us over the summer), Yossi Benayoun, Maxi Roriguez and our very own Stevie Gerrard who contributed goals from advanced positions. Aside from Stevie, the other sources of goals have gone – and Stevie has not been playing in the position from which he scored his goals with Rafa.
Sterling, Suso, Sahin, Gerrard and Shelvey (perhaps also Pacheco, Morgan, Yesil and Downing) are all quality players with the potential to contribute goals in the coming months. The hard truth of it, however, is that (with the notable exception of Shelvey) they are not scoring much at the moment.
So unless we are happy to dwell in the lower reaches of the EPL, the need for at least 1 and perhaps 2 prolific goalscorers seems to be a priority for January.
I would also argue that Liverpool need a top attacking midfielder of the quality of Isco or Eriksen to compete for the top-4 places in the Premier League – which in my opinion (and independently of Rodgers’ smart expectations management) is the least Liverpool need to aspire to EVERY SEASON (including the current season). This is essential if Liverpool are to retain top guns like Suarez and attract new top talent.
November 15th, 2012
Yea we do! Check put the stats of the Suarez/hunterlaar partnership at Ajax, the season Luis scored 47 goals he did it from the forward right of a front three! He does all his best work outside the box, so it makes sense!
November 15th, 2012
Alternative ideas.
1) Sell Suarez to ManCity for 50m
2) Ask 40m from John W. Henry
3) Use that 90m for 3 QUALITY STRIKERS
40m is a small change for John W. Henry, right?
November 15th, 2012
F##king D##khead
November 15th, 2012
yup thats dumb. we need to keep our good players and THEN add at least 100m worth of talent to that p*ss poor squad
November 16th, 2012
Exactly, for reasons of substance and belief.
November 16th, 2012
U are definitely a clown! Or u are nuts!
November 15th, 2012
It’s a silly question. Of course we need a striker. Not in the sense of a young unproven striker but someone who the younger players can learn from. Also someone that instills more confidence in the team/first eleven. Experience is a necessity and I think Suarez would thrive with a confident and proven attacker beside him. Sterling, Sahin and Borini would relish playing with someone like Huntelaar and Liverpool would definitely reap the rewards. It’s not always about spending a fortune but it also shouldn’t be about youth and building for the future. A class buy like Huntelaar would reinvigorate the players, fans and owners.
November 15th, 2012
Well said Sir!
November 15th, 2012
We really need to start talking about replacement for steven G and i believe yoann gourcuff of france is the man to do that.
November 16th, 2012
gourcuf is rubbish . gerrard still many year left
November 16th, 2012
Eriksen would be perfect for Liverpool – complementary to Lucas and Allen and the perfect long-term successor to Stevie Gerrard.
November 16th, 2012
Very true . Eriksen would be great but Allen is not Liverpool class
November 16th, 2012
I think you are wrong..suarez plays as the false nine he roams around the front three draws out center backs and creates opportunities.if we had that proven goalscorer we would be in the top 4 right now
November 16th, 2012
Dumb question
November 18th, 2012
We need player like YayaToure, Viera or Allonso to strengthen Liverpool defens coordinating offensively