Four players who could solve Liverpool's striker crisis

Liverpool have not been able to replace Luis Suarez properly after he departed for Barcelona

With Fabio Borini’s departure imminent, Rickie Lambert not getting younger, Mario Balotelli firing blanks and Daniel Sturridge constantly on the treatment table, it doesn’t take a genius to realize the importance of signing a proven goalscorer before the end of the transfer window.

To be honest, I’ve been really impressed by Liverpool’s transfer committee thus far. Quality outshines quantity at every aspect and though we have all but completed six (and counting) signings already even before the start of July, I have to admit that the likes of Firmino and James Milner (as a free transfer especially) were really-really good buys.

Joe Gomez is definitely one for the future, so let’s just hope his career doesn’t go down the same path as Samed Yesil or Conor Coady. Ings and Bogdan are realistically squad players, but the former Burnley man’s decision to wear the number 28 jersey instead of the famous 7 had me stunned. Let’s hope he earns his way to greatness the same way Stevie G did by starting off with that #28!

If I told you that Liverpool have made six new signings, you must have thought at least one of it would be a decent goal-machine. On the dark side, no. On the bright side, however, we have been linked with a number of goal-busters out there. The likes of Carlos Bacca, Mauro Icardi, Fernando Llorente and even Rondon have all been shortlisted. Apart from them, who else fits the bill?

1. Kevin Volland

If you hate Zac Efron, it doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t like this Zac Efron lookalike. Initially included in the preliminary 30-man roster for Germany’s World Cup campaign, the 22-year-old narrowly missed out due to manager Joachim Low’s decision to opt for the veteran Miroslav Klose in his squad. With 3 national caps to his name now, Volland has previously featured and scored in every youth team for his country starting with the U17s.

Standing at 5’11”, Volland has a great physique which weights him up to 82kg. This allows his hold-up game to be very strong as shielding the ball away from the opposition defenders is one of his main traits. Volland, albeit so often used as a right winger during his years at the Bundesliga, has the abilities to be a centre-forward thanks to his cool finishing and physical presence in front of goal.

I am both a classic 9 and a true 9 if you want me to define myself. I have been used in every attacking position at Hoffenheim-
Kevin Volland

His link-up play with Liverpool new-boy Roberto Firmino has also been tantalizing to watch at TSG Hoffenheim. I certainly wouldn’t say no to see such graceful attacking football from the duo at Anfield next season!

2. Ciro Immobile

It won’t be very popular, thanks to the dull season Immobile has endured with Borussia Dortmund last term. Scoring 3 goals in 24 appearances in the Bundesliga for the German outfit is far from great in any striker’s eyes.

Nevertheless, the Italian international did manage to showcase shades of his capabilities when he netted 4 times in 6 games for Dortmund in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

Struggling to cement a place in the team with Adrian Ramos and another Liverpool target Aubameyang around, Immobile has found playing time very limited for the Westfalenstadion side.

Immobile has expressed his desire to return home and join Napoli before the transfer window ends, but a sneaky bid from Liverpool could still lure him to Anfield before anyone else does.

An all-Italian partnership between Immobile and Balotelli up front could be tasty and exciting, but also incontrovertibly risky. But 22 goals in 33 games for a struggling Torino side and winning the Capocannoniere (Serie A Golden Boot) was certainly no fluke. Quite simply, put last season’s disappointment for Immobile aside and many will argue that he will be a good addition for Liverpool upfront.

3. Theo Walcott

Steven Gerrard and Theo Walcott — Theo Walcott has developed into a clinical finisher and could form a great partnership with Sturridge

Yes, Theo freaking Walcott. Remember the deal on offered for Raheem Sterling according to reports? The exchange of Kieran Gibbs plus Theo Walcott for the greedy boy in Red? Well, why isn’t it happening?

If Rodgers needs more competition for Alberto Moreno at left-back and thinks Flanno isn’t up for it, there’s Kieran Gibbs. If Rodgers needs a new striker, there’s Theo Walcott who is now a clinical finisher himself having taken finishing lessons from the great Thierry Henry.

It looks like Theo has already been around forever, but he is still and only 26 this year. With Sturridge and Walcott upfront, Liverpool will boast the fastest and most exhilarating partnership in the Premier League. He only has 12 months left to his current £90,000-a-week deal and his future at Arsenal is undoubtedly in doubt, but for now the fans can only pray for the deal to come through.

4. Alexandre Lacazette

This Frenchman had a total of 27 goals in 31 league games for Lyon last season. Outscoring the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gignac and Cavani just underlines the remarkable aptitude he has for scoring goals.

Due to his spectacular attributes, he is definitely not going to come on a cheap. Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas has stated that the star striker will cost over €50 million (roughly £37 million), which will be more than the amount Liverpool forked out on record signing Andy Carroll and Roberto Firmino.

That’s a hefty price tag, yes. But compared to Aston Villa’s Cristian Benteke who has a release clause of £32.5 freaking million, spending an extra £5 million on Lacazette would be a shrewd move. We could build a next Thierry Henry in this lad!

Edited by Staff Editor