Why Liverpool need another striker?

Time is ticking for Rafa. Liverpool are expected for a serious title challenge or to win the title this season. But, can he with only one striker?

Over the past seasons Steven Gerrard has carried Liverpool to top four places. After, they acquired Fernando Torres off Atletico Madrid for around 20 million pounds, times were looking up at Merseyside. Last season they contended against Manchester United for the Premiership title but, fell short due to many dissappointing home draws. They may have only lost twice in the whole campaign and did not lose at home but, the draws stacked up against them and a more consistant Manchester United side won.

Recently, Xabi Alonso left Liverpool for Real Madrid in a 30 million euro deal. Liverpool immediatley found a replacement in Roma player, Alberto Aquillaini. While making a 10 million euro profit off Alonso, as they bought Aquillaini for 20 million euros. However, Aquillaini was still injured but, Lucas would slot into Xabi Alonso's place for the time being. Losing Alonso made Liverpool lose a player with excellent techinical ability on the ball, the best passer of the ball in the Premiership, a great defensive midfielder and a player who had an amazing shot and eye for goal. However, even if Xabi Alonso stayed at Liverpool, Liverpool would have still needed another striker.

The main threat of goals from Liverpool come off Fernando Torres. Previously, they bought Dirk Kuyt but, he wasn't a convincing finisher and has drifted torwards the left wing for Liverpool. Liverpool found a second striker in Robbie Keane who they bought off fellow Premiership club Tottenham Hotspur. But, his performances last season shown him to be a flop and they sold him back to Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool had bought Keane for 20 million pounds and sold him back to Tottenham Hotspur for 13 million pounds. It was like a 7 million loan deal for Tottenham Hotspur. When Torres was out for Liverpool they struggled to find the net due to Keane's poor form and nobody being a clinical finisher.

Liverpool bought Glen Johnson over the summer. A good buy. Arbeloa knew first team football was limited due to Johnson being a abtter player then him. So, he went off to the revolution happening at Real Madrid, where Perez is creating a new era of Galaticos. Johnson was something that Liverpool needed on the right side. A player that would attack down the right wing and cause problems for the opposing left back. While he could defend well anyway.

Being the lone striker for Torres is difficult especially, when Liverpool are playing badly. In his first season he notched up 25 goals in the Premiership. His second season he was plagues with a hamstring injury and did not perform to his very best. With a second striker it would take the pressure off Torres and would make it harder for defenders to mark out the Liverpool attack. Four Defenders against one attacker at times can be terrible for Liverpool. Liverpool were linked with players such as, Lavezzi of Napoli this summer but, a striker that is not that consistant wouldn't help their aspirations of winning the Premiership.

I would of liked players such as Edin Dzeko and Mauro Zarate. Lazio purchased Zarate after a sucessful loan spell there and he did excel when he played for Bimringham City in the Premiership on loan. Dzeko was the second best striker in the German Bundesliga last season just behind his striker partner at Vfl Wolfsburg, Grafite. But, he was seven years younger at the age of 23 and had alot more seasons off good football ahead of him.

Rafa Benitez ignores the fact that one striker isn't enough. If not one striker surely an attacking midfielder would be necessary to slit back from midfield to attack and put less pressure on Gerrard and Torres. In recent days they have been linked with Rafael Van Der Vaart which, would be perfect in my opinion.

Furthermore, Liverpool panic bought Sotiris Kyrgiakos off AEK Athens as they had defensive problems as Skrtel went out with injury with a jaw problem, Agger out for six weeks with a back problems and Auerellio out aswell. Plus, Jamie Carragher played the game where they beat Stoke 4-0 with a heavily bandaged head.

The main reason they lost against Tottenham Hotspur was that they did not have a second striker. Tell me what you guys think are Liverpool's problems?