We all know that Liverpool are in need of a striker this summer. Luis Suarez’s departure at the end of last season is something they’re still yet to recover from, while the flop trio of Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert are all set to be ditched (via the Daily Mirror).
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The Reds are staring at the prospect of starting the 2015-16 season with just two out-and-out forwards – an injury-plagued Daniel Sturridge and an unproven Divock Origi, who has struggled to make much in the way of an impact at Lille so far this season.
What’s come as a surprise thus far is the names that Brendan Rodgers and co are being linked with, the likes of Manchester United flop Radamel Falcao and Paris Saint Germain stalwart Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who could both be open to summer moves according to reports in The Metro.
Would either of these players be a success at Anfield? We decide below, as we rate both them and three other veteran strikers who could still shine an Anfield…
5) Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke)
Enjoyed a brilliant record in Dutch football and has also been highly productive in Germany. However, he’s always been a big fish in a small pond. Spells at Real Madrid and AC Milan both ended in disappointment and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the 31-year-old fancied one last crack at the big time. His 103 goals in 168 games for Schalke shouldn’t be sniffed at, neither should his chances of Premier League success.
4) Radamel Falcao (Manchester United / AS Monaco)
Nothing has gone right for him in Manchester this year. Form and fitness have escaped him, while United boss Louis van Gaal has been unforgiving with his treatment of the Colombian, who perhaps hasn’t been given the chances he deserves. His 142 goals in 178 games during four years at Porto and Atletico Madrid prove what he’s capable of, while at just 29 there is still a little bit of breathing room for his potential.
3) Jackson Martinez (FC Porto)
Another Colombian star. This 28-year-old helped Porto tear apart Bayern Munich in midweek, while is record of 86 goals in 122 games for the club his highly impressive. His best goal to game ratio has come this season (with 26 in 31), suggesting he’s continuing to improve, so Liverpool could be grabbing him just at the right time should he make the move to England during the forthcoming summer transfer window.
2) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint Germain)
Wouldn’t we all love to see him in England? The 33-year-old Swedish icon as dominates Holland, Italy, Spain and France but never the Premier League. His record of 104 goals in 122 games for PSG suggest he still has plenty to offer, even if he isn’t a ‘typical’ Liverpool signing. There’s plenty that could go wrong with this sort of move (see Mario Balotelli for the full list), it will come down to whether Rodgers wants to gamble.
1) Carlos Bacca (Sevilla)
Something of a late bloomer, who at 28 is only now reaching his peak. The third Colombian to appear on this list, the Sevilla star has scored 20 goals so far this season, as well as 41 in all competitions since his move to Spain at the start of last season. His goal record was equally impressive in both Belgium and Colombia but only now, in La Liga, has he been given the chance to shine on the bigger stage.