Liverpool legend Robbie Flower has backed manager Brendan Rodgers to sign Christian Benteke this summer as Flower believes the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona and with Daniel Sturridge struggling for form and fitness, the Reds had major problems in front of goal last season, but Benteke can regain Liverpool striking vows and will fit in ideally in the Club's style of play.
"The striker issue is a big thing," he told the Liverpool Echo. "We didn't have anyone who scored 10 Premier League goals last year and I can't remember the last time that happened at Liverpool.
"It's important we get a proven goalscorer and, of the names being bandied about, I'd go for Benteke. I think he's excellent.
"I know there are other top strikers out there and probably more prolific scorers but in terms of all-round play - strength, speed, physicality, finishing - I think Benteke could be the main man for Liverpool.
"I think we cross more balls into the box than any club in the league and I think Christian says he feeds off crosses. There's no point going to a club where they don't cross the ball."
Andy Carroll famously flopped at Liverpool and was unable to gel with the philosophy that Rodgers implemented but Fowler is certain that Benteke is much more than a mere target man or battering ram.
"I've watched him a lot and he’s not just a target man," he continued. "He can hold the ball well and bring others into play but he's also mobile and keeps defenders on their toes.
"Before he got his injury I was very impressed with him and I was hoping we would sign him then. He had a slow start after getting back fit but, under Tim Sherwood, his form was superb.
"I think he's ideal for the way Brendan wants to play. It's probably what we lacked at times last season. We had forwards who wanted to drop deep to get involved with the play and we always had that gap up front.
"With a Benteke type, you have someone who will stay up there and stretch defenders. If you have someone who stretches the defence and makes the pitch bigger there's a lot more space for the likes of [Roberto] Firmino, [Philippe] Coutinho and [Jordan] Henderson to run into."
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