Last season Brendan Rodgers gambled in the market. Instead of signing household names to replace Luis Suarez he went for several youngsters who he hoped would eventually hatch into top stars – plus the last minute capture of Balotelli.
While it’s impossible to say yet whether the gamble paid off, he possibly got less from his signings, in their first year, than he had hoped and that may have come into his thinking when he considered how to strengthen Liverpool this summer.
Because latest reports suggest that Liverpool are in for two player of pedigree and experience.
Fernando Llorente
The Daily Mail reports that:
Liverpool eye move for Fernando Llorente after refusing to match Aston Villa’s £32.5m valuation of Christian Benteke
He’s a player who hasn’t had it all his own way in Italy with Juventus, often finding himself below Alvaro Morata and Carlos Tevez in the pecking order. But he still has an creditable 23 in 65 games for the club. He was a superstar at Athletic Bilbao where he showed all of his dazzling technique and scored 85 in 262 games. He’s intelligent, adaptable and can play in the hole or up top. We simply love this guy’s technique and he would guarantee Liverpool more quality up top. Even his record for Spain – 7 goals in 23 – is decent.
Asier Illaramendi
Liverpool launch £16m bid for Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi with ex-Reds boss Rafa Benitez having final say on deal
Illaramendi – top player
At 25 Illaramendi can count himself unlucky that he has only made 59 appearances (many from the bench) for Real Madrid. He’s been at the club at a time where Luka Modric and, latterly, Toni Kroos have been in imperious form.
But he’s coming into his prime and would bring energy and quality to a midfield shorn of Steven Gerrard.
Let’s take a look at Llorente in action. Liverpool fans: top buys?
