Tuesday 6 January 2015 15:31, UK
Liverpool must forget signing Saido Berahino and buy a big-name centre forward to solve their issues in front of goal, according to Phil Thompson.
In recent weeks, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has been linked with a £20m move for West Brom striker Berahino, who sparked rumours about his future at The Hawthorns after not celebrating any of his four goals against Gateshead in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Liverpool have scored just 28 goals in 20 Premier League matches this season compared to the 46 they had hit at the same stage last year, with Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini scoring just one top-flight goal between them so far in the 2014/15 campaign.
However, Soccer Saturday pundit Thompson believes Liverpool, who have been without Daniel Sturridge through injury since August, should target deals for Argentinean duo Gonzalo Higuain or Ezequiel Lavezzi to cure their goal problems and help curb the disappointment of Gerrard’s imminent departure from Anfield.
"I would not like to think that Saido Berahino is their prime target as a striker," he told Sky Sports.
"Yes, Liverpool do need a striker with injuries to Daniel Sturridge and the difficulties that Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli have had at the football club.
"Brendan Rodgers likes his forwards to have pace. You see Raheem Sterling currently playing as an out-and-out centre forward, and he has done very well, but maybe he does not possess the finishing quality of Berahino.
"I think that Liverpool need someone who is a bit more established and who has played at a higher level like Gonzalo Higuain or Ezequiel Lavezzi, somebody of that ilk to come in following the news about Steven Gerrard’s departure,” he added.
"For me, I would not go for Berahino, although I can see the advantages of having him, but I tell you what, he has to change his attitude."