With boss Brendan Rodgers losing prize asset Luis Suarez to Barcelona, Liverpool’s chief definitely had a lot to prove this summer to prove himself to the fans and the media alike. A marquee signing needed to be brought into Anfield in order to work either alongside Daniel Sturridge or as an alternative if maybe.
Alexis Sanchez was the man they so desired with, a man who also appeared to be sought after by many Premier League sides. The Chilean soon ended up being robbed from under the nose of Rodgers, with Arsene Wenger making an uncharacteristic quick approach to get his man. After thinking he would be theirs, Rodgers was left to rue his errors, leaving only Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini and the controversial striker Mario Balotelli to work with Sturridge.
Unfortunately, with star striker Sturridge suffering from injury after injury this season, the trio have been heavily relied upon as backup and Liverpool undoubtedly must regret not signing any proven goal-scorers. The trio aren’t bad on their day, yet with just one goal between the three of them they definitely leave a lot to be desired for the Anfield club.
Perhaps there would have been better strikers to sign this summer, such as Queens Park Rangers’ forward, Charlie Austin for instance.
Austin made the long trip up to the Premier League with QPR this season, and after initial doubts about how Redknapp’s talisman would fare in the best league in football, he’s proved his doubters wrong indefinitely.
The 25-year-old has taken the Premier League by storm since his arrival, and scoring 11 goals in 15 games shows that he’s definitely in good form. Only the ever present Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa are above him in the goal scoring tally. Austin has scored 31 goals in 52 appearances for the club in total, and has vast experience having started right at the bottom.
It is questionable whether he will want to remain with a club like QPR when his contract expires in 18-months time. A club with QPR’s ambitions may not enough to fulfil his needs as a player.
Although Redknapp’s men would struggle without him, he may not put too much of a dent in Rodgers’ budget if he moved for him in January, and he may actually come cheaper than the £16 million splashed out for Mario Balotelli this summer. With Loic Remy already leaving for Chelsea this summer, perhaps Austin may want his own chance at a potential top four club.
The Englishman has definitely proved he can be prolific even for a club like QPR. Clearly he could be the man to solve Liverpool’s striking dilemma if they were to move for him.
Surely Rodgers will make a move in January, won’t he?
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