Liverpool Edge Closer to Signing Benteke

Liverpool Edge Closer to Signing Benteke

As the English Premier League season gets closer, many of the leagues top six clubs have started to make moves in the transfer market. With Liverpool finishing outside of the top four last season, thus missing out on a Champions League place, manager Brendan Rodgers and the Anfield hierarchy are trying to make amends for a poor season after the departure of their leading scorer Luis Suarez at the end of the 2012/13 season.

Liverpool have already been one of the most active English teams so far during preseason bringing in backup goalkeeper Adam Bogdan (Bolton), England international James Milner (Manchester City) to seemingly replace the departing Steven Gerrard as well as the promising Danny Ings (Burnley). On top of that, the Anfield side will see Belgian international Divock Origi finally join the club after signing him for £10 million and then loaning him back to Lille for the 2013/14 season. And lets not forget England fullback Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino (Hoffenheim) and finally England Under 19 starlet, Joe Gomez.

In total Liverpool will have 7 new additions to this season’s squad, and that could reach 8 if the recent rumours are true regarding another possible transfer target. After finishing the season strongly with 12 goals in 15 games towards the end of last season, Belgian front man Christian Benteke has once again put himself in the shop window.

However, this could cause issues with the way in which Liverpool set up their team this season as Rodgers employed a 3-4-3 formation with Coutinho, Sterling and Lallana operating in the forward positions last season. But with the wealth of talent that Liverpool now have especially if they were to sign Benteke from Aston Villa, the likelihood is that they would have to accommodate the returning Daniel Sturridge from injury as well as the Brazilian, Firmino.

This is all dependent obviously on the departure of the last season’s leading light Raheem Sterling who looks Manchester City-bound as he tries to force a move in the coming weeks

But with so much movement in the Liverpool ranks it begs the question: How will Rodgers keep all these players happy? And which formation will he employ to get the most out of so much attacking talent?

With odds shortening dramatically on Benteke’s imminent move to Anfield, it looks likely that Liverpool will continue their spending spree. Although, it has been reported that they will have to meet Benteke’s £32.5 million buyout clause to complete the transfer of one of the Premier League most lethal marksmen.

To view Liverpool’s current squad, check out their official website for more details here.