Liverpool still want to recruit disgruntled Real Madrid striker
Published:Liverpool’s stuttering start to the season can be attributed to many factors, but none bigger than losing their prolific talisman Luis Suarez to Barcelona, as the goals have been much harder to come by in the Premier League.
However, that could change in January if reports linking the Reds with a £40m bid for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema come to fruition.
The French international centre-forward has long been the subject of transfer speculation concerning the Anfield club and also Arsenal, which intensified after the World Cup.
A move never materialised and when a fresh five-year deal was penned at the Bernabeu this summer, it appeared further off than ever.
But according to sources in Spain, Benzema has been unhappy with being substituted in nearly every match so far this season, while he was left on the bench for the entirety of Madrid’s last game at home to Elche.
Liverpool did recruit AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli at the 11th hour during the summer transfer window, but so far a return of one goal in five appearances has clearly left Brendan Rodgers wondering if the Italian can supply enough ammo.
With fellow recruit Rickie Lambert also disappointing and Fabio Borini made surplus to requirements this summer, only to dig his heels in at Anfield, Daniel Sturridge is still the only reliable source of goals.
Benzema had no such troubles last season, where he went on to rack up 27 goals for club and country, which included a trio of World Cup strikes for Les Bleus.
This cemented the 26-year-old’s reputation as one of the finest centre-forwards around.
Liverpool’s return of just six points from five games ahead of the Merseyside derby, has already seen slip out to fifth favourites to win the Premier League at a whopping 25/1.
Benzema’s potential January arrival would be a major boon to any lingering chances.
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