Liverpool are not too far away from qualifying for the Champions League next season and have an outside chance to go all the way in the competition this campaign. But Jurgen Klopp is not completely convinced with the squad at his disposal and is expected to make a few additions to the squad in the upcoming transfer window.
The Reds have been linked with some of the finest stars in Europe but one name now doing the rounds is French ace Karim Benzema.
Liverpool Make Benzema Approach
Linked with a move to England even at the start of the season, Benzema is easily one of the best strikers in world football at the moment but might be shown the exit door at Real Madrid this summer. Arsenal and Liverpool have both been extensively linked with a move for Benzema and reports from Spain now claim that Klopp has approached the striker over a move this summer.
He might not cost a huge sum, with Real ready to sell him, but is the right man for Liverpool?
Benzema And His Numbers
A product of the academy at Lyon in France, Benzema moved to Real Madrid back in 2011 and has helped his side to two La Liga titles and three Champions League titles in his time in Spain. He has been one of the most prolific goal scorers in Europe all these years, scoring a minimum of 30 goals in every season for the Spanish giants.
He has not been at his best this season, constantly dropped from the first team and has managed just four goals and 8 assists in 18 league starts till date. However, at just 30, he still has a couple of years at the top of his game left and will be a coup for most top clubs in Europe.
Known for his deadly finishing and quick feet that can dribble past even the best of defenders, Benzema is a dominating forward, who loves to play on the shoulder of the last defender. He is smart with his movement and is usually sound with his positioning. He is strong in the air and in hold up play and is devastating if given any space or time on the ball in the final third.
His strength in hold up play, along with his ability to tackle physical approaches from his opponents, makes him a perfect fit for the English style of play.
Right Man For Liverpool?
He does add a different dimension to the Liverpool attack but does not fit into Klopp’s recruitment model at Anfield. The German manager has a system that has worked wonders with players that come with a particular skill set and Benzema just does not fit in well enough.
He may only be a backup to Firmino even if Liverpool decide to spend on him, which is not what he would want at this stage of his career. Liverpool themselves need players who can not only act as target-men but can also work their socks off all over the field, and Benzema is not the solution they are looking for.
Roberto Firmino should remain the first choice for Klopp to lead the line while Danny Ings is showing decent promise recently. Dominic Solanke and Divock Origi might struggle to make it into the starting XI and Liverpool do need an able backup to Firmino. But Benzema is not what they need at the moment.
