Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler who is called “God” by the fans,has told The Liverpool Echo that Christian Benteke would be a good signing for Liverpool. Fowler is a big admirer of the Belgium international, who is Reds boss Brendan Rodgers’ No 1 striking target.
Liverpool are currently unwilling to trigger the £32.5million release clause in Benteke’s contract and Villa won’t budge over the fee. However, the sixth highest goalscorer in the club’s history is desperately hoping that a compromise agreement can be reached over the coming weeks as he backed the 24-year-old to give the Reds a welcome injection of firepower. According to the British newspaper, the Merseyside outfit are interested in signing the Aston Villa striker this summer.
“The striker issue is a big thing,” Fowler told the ECHO. “We didn’t have anyone who scored 10 Premier League goals last year and I can’t remember the last time that happened at Liverpool. “It’s important we get a proven goalscorer and of the names being bandied about I’d go for Benteke. I think he’s excellent.
“I know there are other top strikers out there and probably more prolific scorers. But in terms of all-round play – strength, speed, physicality, finishing – I think Benteke could be the main man for Liverpool.” However, Fowler, who plundered 183 goals in 369 games for Liverpool, says there is so much more to Benteke’s game than simply attacking balls from the flanks and believes his presence in the Liverpool side would also enable others to flourish.
“I’ve watched him a lot and he’s not just a targetman,” former Liverpool striker Fowler told The Liverpool Echo. “He can hold the ball well and bring others into play but he’s also mobile and keeps defenders on their toes.”
“I think he’s ideal for the way Brendan wants to play,” added Fowler. “It’s probably what we lacked at times last season. We had forwards who wanted to drop deep to get involved with the play and we always had that gap up front. “With a Benteke type, you have someone who will stay up there and stretch defenders. If you have someone who stretches the defence and makes the pitch bigger there’s a lot more space for the likes of Firmino, Coutinho and Henderson to run into.”
“That’s for the clubs to sort out,” he added. “A big thing is made out of the price but that’s doesn’t concern me. “If a player is good enough, he’s good enough and I believe Benteke is. “He scores goals, he’s a threat and a real handful for defenders. Being honest, I think he’s probably the perfect player for us.”
Good signing for Liverpool?
Benteke is one of the best strikers in the Premier League, and he would indeed be a great signing for Liverpool. The Belgium international struggled to make an impact for most of the 2014-15 season, but he came back to life after Tim Sherwood replaced Paul Lambert as the Villa manager. The former Standard Liege man scored 13 goals and created 33 chances in 29 Premier League appearances last season.
Benteke had a pass accuracy of 67% and a shot accuracy of 45%, and won 187 headers, 17 dribbles and seven tackles. When free from injury, Benteke remains a hugely threatening striker, and he is certainly going to enhance the quality of the current Liverpool squad.