Fo ler believes liverpool can bend it upfront it ente e
LONDON: Robbie Fowler believes Christian Benteke would be an ideal front man for Liverpool.
While the club continue to refuse to pay the £32.5mil (RM192mil) that would release the big Belgian from his Aston Villa contract, Fowler is convinced he would be a huge hit.
Fowler, the sixth highest goal scorer in Anfield history declares: “The striker issue is a big thing.
“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 goal scorer 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.”
Fowler believes there is much more to the 24-year-old’s game than meeting crosses, telling the Liverpool Echo: “He’s not just a target man.
“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 Rodgers wants to play. 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.
“When you’ve got players who want to drop deep all the time, you’re easier to mark as a team. When forwards drop into Coutinho’s position, it makes it harder for him to get on the ball.”
Fowler, who collected 183 goals in 369 games for Liverpool, added: “I can’t stress enough how important it is that we get a forward like that.
“Someone to make the pitch big. It’s vital for us because it brings others into the game.”
Meanwhile, Bobby Adekanye has confirmed he has signed for Liverpool after Barcelona were found guilty by FIFA of illegally signing the 16-year-old, who is rated as a potential wonderkid. — The Sun, London