In a recent interview with Aksam (via Sports Witness), renowned German journalist Thomas Wagner claimed that Max Kruse declined a move to Liverpool earlier this summer when he said, “I know Liverpool made an offer to him.
“At first, I thought that a move to Fenerbahce is an unlikely one. But he chose Fenerbahce over Liverpool.”
However, the Liverpool Echo has denied those claims by stating that the former Bundesliga forward did not fit the Merseyside club’s profile for a new striking option up top.
Either way, there is no denying the fact that Jurgen Klopp needs to recruit a new forward so that he can replace Daniel Sturridge who was released by Liverpool earlier this summer. Liverpool have got Roberto Firmino, and Divock Origi as the only senior team strikers with Rhian Brewster also expected to have a breakout season in the upcoming campaign.
However, one can argue that Klopp needs at least another new face to lead the line in the offensive end of the field. Here are three replacements for the German boss to consider during this summer transfer period.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Gabon international shared the Premier League’s golden boot award with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah last season when they all finished with a tally of 22 goals each. The 30-year-old still has a few years left in his locker to play at a high level so Klopp will do well to reunite with his former striker at Anfield this summer.
Man United have already targeted this forward, and maybe Liverpool could look at this one as well. With news circulating that Arsenal are willing to sell the Gabon forward and have offered him to several suitors across Europe, Klopp could look to lodge a cheeky bid for the forward.
Nils Petersen
The German forward had another impressive season at SC Freiburg in the previous campaign. He put in a series of goal-scoring performances for them in the Bundesliga which helped his team avoid relegation last season. Petersen scored 12 goals and created three assists in 26 matches for the German side last term across all competitions. At 30, he still has a few years left in his tank so the Reds could look to recruit him on a short-term basis.
Timo Werner
If Klopp fancies a younger option up top, then he should consider bringing Werner to Merseyside ahead of the new season. The RB Leipzig forward has an impressive goal-scoring record in the Bundesliga, having scored 63 goals in 188 appearances so far. Werner boasts blistering pace and can make some well-timed runs behind the opposition backline, which makes him a perfect fit for Klopp’s style of play at Anfield.
