Brendan Rodgers says Liverpool needed goals as Christian Benteke nears move
Tuesday 21 July 2015 01:21, UK
Brendan Rodgers says Liverpool were desperately in need of goalscorers going into this summer window as Christian Benteke nears his move to the club.
The Belgium striker will be heading to Anfield in a £32.5m deal with Aston Villa, once he successfully passes his medical in London which is taking place on Monday and Tuesday of this week.
Liverpool netted only 52 Premier League goals last season, a huge disappointment following the 101 they scored the previous campaign thanks largely to the dual striking combination of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
Suarez departed Merseyside for Barcelona before the start of 2014/15, while Sturridge spent most of last season on the treatment table.
On Sunday, Liverpool concluded negotiations on a payment structure which will see them pay £16m up front, with the remainder of Benteke's release clause to be paid out over the length of his contract.
And Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo: "It was just clear we needed to score more goals.
"A few years ago we needed to improve our goal tally and we did that and it gave the team a little bit of profit. I feel it was the same this summer.
"We were down on our goals. Overall, it is the balance we need to improve offensively and defensively and the players that will contribute to both."
