Anfield chiefs fly out to seal Teixeira deal
LIVERPOOL have launched a bid to sign Alex Teixeira from Shakhtar Donetsk as Jurgen Klopp looks for a solution to his side’s lack of goals.
Of the club’s current forwards, Daniel Sturridge seems unable to regain full fitness, while Christian Benteke is having trouble finding the back of the net.
A Liverpool delegation, led by chief executive Ian Ayre, met Shakhtar officials in Miami on Wednesday to discuss a £24.5million move for the Brazilian forward, who has also been linked with Chelsea. The Ukrainians are looking for £30m.
Shakhtar are in the US for the Florida Cup but Teixeira, who has scored 22 goals in 15 league games this season, is nursing a minor hamstring problem and missed the game against Fluminense of Brazil in Orlando as a precaution.
Liverpool have struggled in front of goal this year and have managed only 25 goals in 22 Barclays Premier League games. The need to bolster their attack has led them to Teixeira, who turned 26 earlier this month and wants to play in England.
Teixeira is not an out-and-out striker, but more of a No 10, and Liverpool hope to seal a deal in this transfer window.
Meanwhile, Anfield manager Klopp must battle on without striker Sturridge. The England international is not expected back within the next two weeks as he recovers from a hamstring problem suffered at Newcastle on December 6.
Since taking charge at Liverpool in early October Klopp has had Sturridge on the pitch for only 106 minutes but the German said he is happy to wait.
‘I had 15 months with Ilkay Gundogan (at Borussia Dortmund) where we had to all wait. It was his back and we had no chance to force it,’ said Klopp. ‘With Daniel but it’s the muscle. We have to do everything we can to give him the strength to play.
‘We all know it’s pretty easy for him when he’s fit, but at this moment he isn’t. I’m not thinking of making a general decision about him. To have a player like Daniel in your squad is always a good situation.
‘He’s not training with the team at the moment but we have enough games this season when we hopefully can use him but not — if nothing happens — for at least the next 10 days. You can’t be nearly fit, then playing, then injured again.
‘We have to be patient. That’s not my best skill but in this case I have no other choice.’
There is some better news for Klopp. Philippe Coutinho is making progress after damaging a hamstring at Stoke 16 days ago. The Brazilian has been cleared to start training again after rehabilation in the gym.