Liverpool eye January striker swoop

Jurgen Klopp wants cover when the Reds will be short of attacking options at the turn of the year.

Liverpool's Danny Ings has been ruled out for the season for a second successive year after suffering another serious knee injury.

And Sadio Mane will also be unavailable for potentially a month with the Senegal international heading for the African Cup of Nations in January.

As a result, Liverpool are set to turn to the 21-year-old dubbed the ‘Iranian Messi’, Azmoun, according to The Guardian.

The Rostov ace has impressed on the big stage in the Champions League this season, scoring away at Atletico Madrid last week too.

Liverpool have been tracking Azmoun throughout the current campaign and are weighing up an offer for when the window opens.

The Reds’ signings in the summer have proven to be great successes, with Mane, Joel Matip and Georginio Wijnaldum all impressing under Klopp.

And with Michael Edwards now the club’s new sporting director, Azmoun could be Liverpool’s first signing since his appointment.

Merseyside rivals Everton and Stoke are said to have carried interest in the Iran international in the past.

But Klopp’s desire to reinforce his attack, especially out wide, may see Azmoun make the switch from Russia to the Premier League with Liverpool.

At Anfield, the Reds will still have Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi as strong options going forward.

However, any injuries would leave Liverpool stretched, and Klopp does not want anything to jeopardise his side’s growing title bid.

Source: Daily Express

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