With increasing reports of Daniel Sturridge leaving Anfield in the near future, reports have also emerged that Liverpool are weighing a bid for Torino striker Andrea Belotti. According to Il Messagero, his performances have caught the eye of Klopp. But the Reds are not the only one in the race for the 22-year old as English giants Arsenal and German club Borussia Dortmund were already keeping tabs on the striker.
Liverpool might be the first one to make a bid for the striker though 20 million pounds may not be enough. Belotti still has three-and-a-half years left to run on his contract in Turin and it would reportedly take “well beyond” £34m to bring him to Anfield.
Alessandra Stefanelli of Tuttomercatoweb.com has also revealed that Torino are set to extend Belotti’s contract until 2021, which will boost his release clause well over the fifty million mark at £54 million. Belotti has already netted 8 times and bagged 4 assists in only 10 appearances this season and it is quite obvious Torino won’t let such a talent leave the club. His performances have also helped him get a national call.
He possesses most of the attributes that Klopp wants in a striker. He chases the ball, forces defenders to make mistakes and does not hesitate to go for tackles. He has a strong finishing touch which has mainly attracted his suitors from all across Europe.
His hard work and the ability to shut down defenders when they have the ball and never shirking a physical challenge are commendable. In a team like Liverpool that presses high up the pitch, he’d be an ideal front man.
Liverpool are currently top of the Premier League table with the most number of goals. Although Roberto Firmino, Phillipe Coutinho and Origi are just fine for the Reds, Belotti could be an upgrade on Liverpool forwards. January every alternate year brings the problem to clubs having the African players who being called up for their international duties as the Tournament is held.
Liverpool are already linked with many forwards who could fill the void for Mane when he leaves this January. But Sturridge’s departure will leave a big gap in the striking back up for Klopp and Belotti being young would fit the bill perfectly. Although he will be lacking the aerial threat, Klopp could definitely use a hard worker like him in the false number 9 position when the matches increase in the second half and players would need a breather more often than the first half of the season.
