Liverpool Transfer Speculation: 5 Championship Goalscorers the Reds Could Target

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Liverpool have scored four goals through five games this season, and currently sit at 18th in the Premier League.

To put it simply, the team needs a goalscorers, but options are limited. 

Fortunately, the Football League has become somewhat of a treasure trove for finding Premier League-caliber midfield and attack talent, with top-flight stars such Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Scott Sinclair, Scott Parker and, of course, Joe Allen all having plied their trade in the Championship or League One as recently as 2010-11.

And there are quite a few good strikers currently in the Championship who would relish a move to Anfield.

Here are the top five.

5. Ross McCormack

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Ross McCormack has been one of the better and most consistent players in the Championship the past few seasons, and with the Scotland international having scored 56 goals in 144 career Championship games, he could be ready for a move up in divisions.

The 26-year-old scored 19 times in 47 appearances for Leeds United scorer.

An elite finisher and goal-poacher, McCormack would add many of the qualities Liverpool has been lacking this season, though not at the level Reds fans should expect.

Nevertheless, McCormack could be a good temporary option in January.

4. Kevin Doyle

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With 37 goals in in 161 career Premier League games, Wolves striker Kevin Doyle has never been an overly prolific goalscorer, but his top-flight pedigree is undeniable.

And the fact that he has never been given the opportunity to perform with strong players, having played with consistent strugglers Reading and Wolves, which certainly won't help his averages.

Last season, Doyle, who has been one of Wolves' top players over the past several seasons, scored four goals in 36 games for his team, who finished 20th in the league.

Doyle is far from a long-term solution, but he'd be an improvement over nothing.

3. Charlie Austin

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Having torn his way onto the Football League stage only last year, 23-year-old Burnley striker Charlie Austin's progress certainly seems to suggest he is ready to take the next step up in his career.

In 2010-11, Austin scored 17 goals in 46 goals for the struggling Championship side last season, but has raced out of the blocks this year with nine goals through his first eight games.

Austin may not be the elite scorer the Reds have been seeking, but his talent, potential and prolific nature are undeniable. Should he continue to develop well, he could make an effective Premier League striker down the road.

Alongside Luis Suarez, Austin could score more than one or two goals as a Liverpool player.

2. Wilfried Zaha

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Though he is still only 19, Wilfried Zaha has been too good for the Championship for years now.

The versatile attacker, who was heavily linked with Liverpool under Kenny Dalglish, appeared in 49 games for Crystal Palace last season, scoring nine goals and adding five assists.

The Ivory Coast native, who plays best on the wing but can also play more centrally or up front, has represented England at the U19 and U21 levels.

Zaha would inject some much-needed flair and pace to the Liverpool side. Across from Raheem Sterling, he would give the Reds aggressive threats on both wings and with tremendous goalscoring potential, would at least help alleviate the club's scoring crisis.

Zaha would be cheaper than most Liverpool targets, and could be worth a bid in January.

1. Jordan Rhodes

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Are there any goalscorers in the English leagues more prolific than Jordan Rhodes is right now?

The 22-year-old Englishman, who was signed by recently relegated Blackburn Rovers for £8 million this summer, has scored 90 goals in 151 games over the past four seasons, including 40 in 45 games for Huddersfield in League One last season and five in four so far this year.

With his movement, technique and near superhuman finishing ability, Rhodes could be an instant hit in the Premier League. Alongside the likes of Steven Gerrard, Nuri Sahin and Luis Suarez, Rhodes could certainly be the goalscorer Brendan Rodgers has so desperately been needing.

Liverpool would be well served to attempt to pry Jordan Rhodes away from Blackburn in January. He could save their season.

 

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