Liverpool Set To Splurge £33.5 Million On Former Premier League Striker

Liverpool needs a new striker to cover for a number of absentees in January and the Daily Mirror believes they are willing to bid £33.5million for former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez.

The Mexican has a release clause at Bayer Leverkusen that the Reds will have to match and even go above if they want to bring the experienced striker to Anfield. The 28-year-old certainly had a great season for the Bundesliga side last season as he scored 17 times in 28 Bundesliga games and 26 goals in all competitions.

The former United striker has scored seven times in 20 games already this season and would be a great option for the Reds should they be able to sign him. Hernandez was sent out on loan by United to Real Madrid before he was sold to Bayer at the start of the 2015-16 season.

Hernandez did have a great scoring record when playing for Manchester United and would not need a lot of time to acclimatise to the Premier League. The 28-year-old had scored 59 goals in 157 games for the Red Devils and he might have something to prove against his former employers.

Hernandez still has it but can he perform in this Liverpool team?

The Mexican might not be the youngest player out there but his experience will surely be a great asset for Liverpool. The Reds don’t have a lot of options in attack as well and with the constant injuries to Daniel Sturridge, Hernandez would be a decent option, though he would not be cheap.

The 28-year-old still has a few years left in him and his poaching ability could be the perfect option at the top of the attack. He would have to work extra hard though as the Reds play a high pressing game but Hernandez is not someone who shirks his responsibilities.

Moving from Leverkusen to Liverpool might not bring him a lot of glory in terms of trophies but the Reds are better placed for silverware compared to the Bundesliga side. The EFL Cup and FA Cup are legitimate targets for the Reds and with Saido Mane leaving on international duty in the New Year, Liverpool needs a sharp striker at the top of the team.

Signing Hernandez would not be a bad move but it would certainly affect the playing time of Divock Origi, who has been doing pretty well this season. The 21-year-old Belgian has scored three goals in his  last three games and maybe, letting Origi keep his place in the side is the right way to go.

Mane and Coutinho will return by the end of January and that could be enough for Liverpool this season. Hopefully, Klopp will be able to sign someone for the attack next season as Daniel Sturridge seems closer to the exit as his lack of fitness has hurt the side for a while.