Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Reds Maintain Interest in Highly-Rated Colombian

Through 26 games of the 2011-12 Premier League, Liverpool's defense has earned the distinction of being the League's second-stingiest, behind only top-flight leaders Manchester City, with just 25 goals given up. However, with the club's paltry 30 goals scored, a whole 14 teams have scored more goals, and it is pretty clear what the area that has led to the Reds' downfall has been.

It was expected that Kenny Dalglish would make a move to reinforce his strike force in the January Transfer Window, but the Reds did not make any signings. The need for a striker is just as bad as it has been all season.

According to talkSPORT, Liverpool are very much in the race for Colombian striker Jackson Martinez, with a summer move for the 25-year-old  potentially on the cards.

The 6'0" youngster currently stars for Mexico Premier Division strugglers Jaguares de Chiapas, where he has scored 28 goals in 53 games since joining from Independiente Medellin in 2010, including five goals from nine games this season.

The prototypical goal-poacher, Martinez spearheads a team with his speed, agility and strong finishing ability, and brings seemingly all the qualities that the Liverpool attack has lacked this season.

Liverpool fans will argue that with the money the FSG owners seem to be willing to provide, the club can do better than Martinez. At this point, the club's need for a striker is so desperate that the £4 million spent on a striker that comes out of the Mexican top league with a better record than Manchester United star Javier Hernandez has to be worth the risk.

If Jackson Martinez continues to develop as well as he has to date, he could turn out to be a bargain for the Reds.

Follow Jake Ware on Twitter at @JacobWare95