Why Liverpool should leave Berahino to Tottenham’s advances
Published:
Fresh reports suggesting Liverpool are edging in front of Tottenham to pin down West Brom striker Saido Berahino in January may hold some degree of truth, but the Reds arguably have little need of his services.
Even a club as frivolous as Liverpool would be mad to stump up the current asking price of £25m anyhow.
Berahino piqued interest earlier in the campaign having raced to seven Premier League goals by late October.
However, that well has since run dry and not a single net bulged in any competition in his next 11 Baggies appearances for the Burundi-born striker.
It’s difficult to ignore that the furore drummed up back in the autumn may have got to the 21-year-old’s head, while in the shape of converted wide-forward Raheem Sterling, Liverpool has unearthed their own version of early-season Berahino.
Although Sterling didn’t add to his tally of three goals in as many games during the 4-1 demolition of Swansea in the league, the lightning quick centre-forward’s movement was a constant menace, while one first-time effort cannoned back off a post.
That was Liverpool’s best Anfield performance of the season, and having lifted Brendan Rodgers’ side into eighth – five points shy of the Champions League places – the Reds’ previously toxic top-four odds of 11/2 have gained a slight gleam of attraction again.
Given Sterling’s successful conversion to a number nine, Daniel Sturridge may actually have a job on his hands getting back into the team when he’s finally passed fit in early 2015.
Though when Sturridge is up and running, the wealth of attacking-midfield options, including Sterling, mean Berahino would be too similar to what is already available to Rodgers.
Looking further ahead, Divock Origi’s long-awaited summer arrival would also make Liverpool’s forward pack harder to shuffle with the young Baggies boy on board.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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