Liverpool have been encouraged to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Raul Jimenez in January.
At least, that is the view of former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson.
Jurgen Klopp is set to be without Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane for a chunk of the winter schedule due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
It could leave Liverpool a little light on attacking options because although they have Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, beyond them there’s only Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi.
With the Reds’ clash against Leeds United being postponed on Sunday, Manchester City could go six points clear if they win at home to Leicester City.
And Merson has written in The Daily Star that he feels a player like the Wolves striker would add an extra dimension to Liverpool’s attack – not only in the absence of Salah and Mane.
He said: “Liverpool need to sign a centre forward like Raul Jimenez in January – and not just as cover for the African Nations Cup either. They need someone to come in while Sadio Mane and Mo Salah are away, yes. But I think they need someone for the future too.
“They need a player who can put pressure on the front three and help them win league titles consistently for the next few years. It’s no good coming second for the next five years. He’s a bigger version of Firmino who scores more goals. He can come short and has that vision. And he has played with Jota enough times at Wolves.
“I think he ticks the boxes. I think it’s a nice signing that. He would come in and not kick up a stink if he isn’t playing every week. That’s what they need.”
Not enough
Jimenez, who cost £30 million at Wolves, is a very good attacking player.
But honestly, Liverpool need a level above what the Mexican footballer can offer.
Thirty seven goals in 103 Premier League outings illustrates that although he knows how to score, he doesn’t do so enough to earn a move to Anfield under Klopp.
Some might argue that Jota wasn’t a prolific goalscorer at Molineux and although that’s true, even then he did look to suit Liverpool’s style more than Jimenez does now.
Honestly, Jimenez is a level above Origi, but the Merseysiders need a world-class centre forward and the Wanderers hitman just isn’t that.
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