Liverpool line-up potential replacements for the struggling Mario Balotelli…
Liverpool have dropped Mario Balotelli for today’s game against West Brom, instead handing a first Premier League start to former Southampton forward Rickie Lambert.
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Manager Brendan Rodgers is already eyeing up potential targets for the January transfer window, who could all help bolster his ailing forward line. Here are the top five candidates:
5) Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion)
Liverpool could target West Brom’s starlet striker, who is likely to start against them today – you can read the full story here.
The 21-year-old Englishman is one of the hottest prospects in the Premier League, and is currently the top scoring home grown player in the division. The under-21 international has scored 14 Albion goals so far, five of which have come during the current campaign.
4) Emmanuel Adebayor (Tottenham Hotspur)
Liverpool could make a surprise swoop for Tottenham’s veteran striker – you can read the full story here.
While the 30-year-old will hardly be the marquee signing Liverpool fans are craving, the Togolese star has an impressive goal record for a wide variety of ‘big’ clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and current club Tottenham, for whom he has scored 40 goals in 98 games.
3) Jackson Martinez (Porto)
Liverpool will rival Arsenal for the Colombian forward – you can read the full story here.
The 28-year-old joined the Portuguese giants in 2012, and has scored goals for fun ever since, netting 69 times in 99 matches in all competitions. He has also struck ten times for his country in 29 international caps, and was part of the impressive World Cup squad this summer.
2) Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli)
Liverpool will attempt to convince former boss Rafael Benitez to sell the Argentine hit-man – you can read the full story here.
The 26-year-old has scored 27 goals since joining the Serie A giants last summer, following a seven year spell with Real Madrid, for whom he netted on 122 occasions. He has also scored 22 times for his country, including the winner against Belgium in the World Cup quarter-final.
1) Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Liverpool could turn to the Real Madrid target man, who has struggled to hold down a first-team place this season – you can read the full story here.
The Reds reportedly failed with an opening offer of £47m, but could return with an improved bid in January. The 26-year-old Frenchman has scored 114 goals for Madrid, and is now in his sixth season with the club, having joined from Lyon in 2009. He has also struck 24 times for his country.
SEE ALSO: The Best Liverpool goals.