28 Sept 2015

'The Beast' to Anfield? Liverpool keen to sign 'excellent' €19m attacker. Replace Origi?

Over the last two years, Liverpool have repeatedly been linked with a move for Paris St. Germain attacker Ezequiel Lavezzi, and with the Reds struggling to score goals this season, the Argentine is allegedly back on Brendan Rodgers' transfer radar.

In October 2014, The Mirror claimed that Liverpool were planning a gigantic £30m January offer for Lavezzi, and over the following months, numerous reports claimed that the 30-year old was 'heading to Liverpool'.

Now, the Liverpool Echo reports:

"PSG striker Ezequiel Lavezzi [is] linked with the Reds [who are] interested in a January move for the Argentine attacker".

When asked over the weekend about his future, Lavezzi hinted that he may be open to a move. He told reporters:

"I think it's my last year in Paris...and I want to finish it the best way possible. You never know what can happen. Today I want to stay, tomorrow we'll see."

It's easy to see Lavezzi's appeal to Rodgers:

* Versatile, and can play as striker, or out wide.

* Works very hard on the field, and is good defensively.

* Has pace, which is always a plus for any attacking player.

Lavezzi - nicknamed 'The Beast' by the Argentina media - is the archetypal Rodgers player, and Argentina boss Alejandro Sabella underlined this last summer, when he highlighted his positive influence. He enthused:

"Players like Lavezzi are always very positive, because they keep players happy. They keep a nice atmosphere in the group. And Lavezzi is an excellent player. He never makes negative comments, and he is always supporting the team."

Creative stats for PSG:

* 33 goals/23 assists in 145 appearances (Goal/assist every 2.6 games).

With Benteke and Sturridge regularly injured, and Divock Origi probably going out on loan, there's an argument for bringing in another quality forward player who is seemingly impervious to injury. Lavezzi certainly fits the bill:

* Averages 40 games a season over the last 7 years.

* Missed only 12 games through injury in the last 10 years.

An enticing record, but PSG reportedly want €19m (£14m) for Lavezzi, which is (arguably) way too much, especially for a player who'll be 31 on his next birthday.

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson is a fan of Lavezzi, and in January, he called for the Reds to sign the attacker. He told Sky Sports:

“With Brendan playing Raheem up front on his own, I would like to see an experienced striker come in, like Gonzalo Higuain or Ezequiel Lavezzi. They’ve always been my favoured targets".

As sure as day follows night, Sturridge will get injured again this season, and relying on him over a whole year is a giant mistake. The same arguably applies to Benteke, who is now on his fifth injury in the last two seasons.

If Rodgers sticks with two up front then Lavezzi is a solid option as a second striker.

Worth a bid?

Author: Jaimie K


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