Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan has claimed Aston Villa ace Ollie Watkins would be the ideal signing for Liverpool this summer.
This follows a report claiming the Reds were taking a keen interest in the 25-year-old who has taken the top-flight by storm in his debut season.
Since arriving from Brentford last summer for a club-record £28m fee (BBC), Watkins has scored 12 Premier League goals – including four against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
With doubts over Divock Origi’s future on Merseyside and as to whether Klopp can persist with Roberto Firmino as a focal point in attack, Whelan told Football Insider that the recently capped England man would be the ideal candidate.
He [Watkins] would bring everything to the party when you look at how he plays. He runs behind, good on the ball, brings others into play, good pace. He wouldn’t look out of place at Liverpool, put it that way. He would only enhance them. I think that’s what’s lacking there. There’s a lot of wingers and a lot of number 10s but not that focal number nine who will run in behind and allow (Sadio) Mane to come inside and take positions up.
Whelan went on to hail Watkins as ‘brilliant’, suggesting the former Exeter City frontman is the right age for a big move.
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Signing the Villa man would no doubt raise a few eyebrows having played just one season at the elite level this far.
However, Klopp and Michael Edwards have proven to have to Midas touch when it comes to transfers previously and it would be no surprise should Watkins prove to be a success at Anfield.
Liverpool certainly need to focus on an additional striker cover for next season, as Origi continues to fall short of the level required time and time again.