1. Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
Another good option upfront for Liverpool could have been Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke. The Belgian was a surprise hit in his first season in the Premier League last year, scoring 19 goals to almost single-handedly keep Paul Lambert’s side from relegation to the Championship. Still only 22, Benteke looks like continuing his fine form this season with four goals in his opening four games.
Needless to say, his physical presence upfront, as well as his obvious knack for scoring goals, would have given Liverpool something a little different in the final third, providing an aerial threat that the likes of Suarez and Sturridge can’t, though without taking away from Rodgers’ preferred style of play in the manner of Andy Carroll during his time at Anfield.
Many other clubs showed a strong interest in Benteke this summer before he signed a new bumper contract with Villa, but should Liverpool have made an extra effort to get him in now before his value soars even higher this season?