The West Bromwich Albion striker would be the perfect- and affordable- solution to Liverpool’s under-performing forward line.
According to reports, former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has placed an £8 million price tag on Peter Odemwingie.
In this market, with Darren Bent valued over £24 million, Odemwingie is a steal.
Hodgson was trying to ward off clubs like Fulham or Wigan from bidding for the striker, but he is good enough to play for a top side.
At Liverpool he would join Suarez, Carroll and Bellamy in attack, and offers a combination of pace, technique and finishing that none of the previous three mesh together as well as he does.
We are not saying he will come in and be number one striker at Anfield, but the previous month has shown Liverpool need a goalscorer, and he certainly is that.
Yesterday Liverpool were linked with Nikica Jelavic. No disrespect but an SPL player is unlikely to be able to cut it at Anfield.
Playing as a lone forward for West Brom last season Odemwingie was a revelation, scoring 15 times.
Despite starting this season with an injury, he has continued to score, including an outstanding winner against Blackburn at Ewood Park.
He also has Champions League pedigree, netting at the San Siro in his days at Lille.
If he were to form a potential partnership with Suarez the pair could rejuvenate Liverpool’s bid to reach the Champions League.
Liverpool don’t need to spend mega-money on an extra striker, that approach hardly worked with Carroll, so Odemwingie, a proven quantity, would be a prudent and low-risk signing.
And here’s the kicker. Let’s not be afraid to mention it.
Liverpool’s reputation has suffered in the racial abuse scandal of the Suarez affair.
Signing Odemwingie, who himself suffered racial abuse in Russia, would be a PR coup and assist in repairing the club’s tarnished image.
Think of this as a bonus.
For it is Odemwingie’s talent, availability, and price tag, that Liverpool should make him their number one target ahead of deadline day.
image: © wonker
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