Liverpool Transfer Rumors: Reds Must Do What It Takes to Sign Clint Dempsey

Liverpool only scored 47 goals in English Premier League play last season, and their 3-0 loss to West Brom in their 2012 opener did nothing to quell concerns about their offense.

The Reds must add offensive firepower before it's too late, and Clint Dempsey is the most logical option. Dempsey's ability to play for a top-shelf team is irrelevant at this point. The Reds need help up top, and they need it now.

Rumors sending Dempsey to Anfield aren't new, but The Daily Mail reported on Monday that they may have some company for the skilled American player:

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Sunderland want to speak to Fulham over Liverpool target Clint Dempsey and are keen on Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha and Dnipro full back Ivan Strinic.

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There are concerns over Dempsey's ability to play on an elite side, but are the Reds an elite side right now?

Their eighth-place finish in the EPL last year certainly didn't make it seem so, and they looked dreadful against West Brom.

Dempsey, at this point, seems like he would fit right in. He's skilled, versatile and a hard worker on the offensive end of the pitch. He can play multiple positions, and he understands how to attack a defense.

Last year Dempsey scored 23 goals in 46 appearances for Fulham. His touches would likely decrease playing with the likes of Luis Suarez, Fabio Borini and Steven Gerrard, but that doesn't diminish his value.

At the very least, Dempsey would provide above-average depth to an offense in desperate need of a boost.

Here's the bottom line: It doesn't matter how well Pepe Reina plays in net if the Reds can't score. Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger could shut down one side of the field, and Liverpool still wouldn't win without finding the net at least once.

They must find offense somewhere. Maybe their current group is exactly what is needed, but adding Dempsey at an affordable price wouldn't hurt anything. He's a very talented piece of insurance at his very worst.

There's no reason to risk another season of offensive shortcomings when a player like Dempsey is ready to play with the "big boys." Liverpool is a perfect situation for him, and they must do whatever it takes to bring him to Anfield before the transfer window comes to a close.

It's not about Dempsey's abilities. It's about Liverpool's inabilities.