Report claims Reds will sign French striker…
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According to reports in the Daily Star, Liverpool have been told by Real Madrid that they can sign Karim Benzema for £38.8m, meaning all they have to do is agree personal terms with the world-class French forward.
While we’re a little dubious whether this is completely genuine, what is totally undeniable is that Liverpool badly need a new striker – and would snap up the chance to sign the forward if he was available.
If they did manage to secure Benzema, here’s how Rodgers could line up the Reds in January, assuming Brendan Rodgers’ squad is fully fit.
GK) Victor Valdes
With Simon Mignolet performing horribly, we expect the veteran Spanish ‘keeper Valdes to sign, possibly within the fortnight, if reports are to be believed.
DR) Jon Flanagan
The young Englishman is currently crocked, but with Javier Manquillo clearly not up to scratch yet, and Glen Johnson ageing, the right-back spot is his for the taking.
DL) Alberto Moreno
Moreno’s probably been the most impressive of the summer signings so far, which says more about the complete failure of the rest of them than the young Spaniard’s form.
DC) Martin Skrtel
Skrtel is the only right-sided centre-half, meaning his spot in the side is virtually guaranteed if fit.
DC) Dejan Lovren
The £20m summer signing will surely be given the rest of the season to prove himself, even though his form has been nothing short of woeful.
DC) Steven Gerrard
Sitting at the base of the diamond, Gerrard can control tempo and spray passes, although the Reds will need to provide the skipper with protection after teams began man-marking him this term.
MC) Joe Allen
The Welshman is injured, but he started the season superbly, and will help midfield ball retention. We reckon that Rodgers will give him a role in the midfield three when he’s healthy again.
MC) Jordan Henderson
The club vice-captain is one of the first names on the team-sheet, and his energy and pressing is vital to Liverpool’s style.
AMC) Raheem Sterling
Coutinho and Adam Lallana will be competing for this spot too, but for now, the wonderkid is arguably Liverpool’s most impressive creative player, although his form has tailed off in recent weeks.
FC) Daniel Sturridge
Liverpool badly, badly need Sturridge fit again. He provides pace, goals and movement up top, which Balotelli sadly has not. Sturridge will be straight back in the side when fit.
FC) Karim Benzema
If Benzema does arrive, he’s sure to play up top alongside Sturridge, much like Luis Suarez did last season. To accommodate the pair, the diamond is the only plausible formation available to Rodgers, and after its success in 2013/14, it could help the Reds start firing again. Benzema’s pedigree is undeniable, but it would still be a big ask to expect him to fill Suarez’s void immediately.
