Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Should Keep Faith in Existing Strikeforce

The January transfer window always offers clubs the chance to turn their season around with significant squad alterations, and Liverpool's attack is one area some suggest is in need of remodelling.

It has been speculated the club's lack of reliable striking options could be cured by the club ending Divock Origi's loan at Lille early, but Brendan Rodgers effectively ruled out any such chance of that, per ESPN FC:

"

The young player we signed last summer, it was always on the understanding that he had to stay at Lille. I've seen reports that he'll be coming back early but that was never the case. When we signed the player, it was one of the main reasons we were able to sign him -- he would have to stay at Lille for this season.

The deal was put in place quite clearly in the summer that he would stay at Lille for the season, and then we would get him after that. As far as I'm concerned, that's still the case.

"

Summer signings Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert have failed to fill the void left by the injured Daniel Sturridge so far this season, having yet to score a Premier League goal between them.

And the news that Sturridge has aggravated the thigh injury that's led him to miss much of this campaign is another glum turn at Anfield, further delaying his comeback.

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It's been an unfortunate season riddled with misfortune in that regard, but it's also worth remembering Balotelli's shortcomings haven't been purely of his design.

The squad as a whole has struggled to hit the same heights of last season, and former Red Michael Owen is still backing Balotelli to find his feet and rescue the team, as he wrote on Sport Lobster (per Mail Online):

It's also been reported that the Merseysiders could move for West Brom's ever-impressive hitman Saido Berahino. Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail wrote Berahino would cost in excess of £15 million, however.

Bringing Origi back early is one thing; in some ways an admission of mistakes and a desperate bid to provide some sort of reliable threat in attack but paying such a figure for Berahino would be a similar knee-jerk reaction.

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While succeeding at the Hawthorns has given the 21-year-old his first experience in the England national team, Berahino wouldn't be guaranteed to thrive in Liverpool's squad any more than the current batch.

After all, misfitting tactics are just that and even the most promising players could struggle with the adaptation.

Then, at the end of the season, Origi would join the ranks of Berahino, Balotelli, Lambert, Fabio Borini and a fit-again Sturridge. It's an impressive array by all means but one that comprises of too many names that aren't of the elite calibre.

There are positives to note, however. Raheem Sterling has hinted that he's heading nowhere amid rumours he could leave the club, and he was quoted by David Maddock of the Daily Mirror as saying:

"The club has spoken to my representatives and hopefully something can be done really soon. Hopefully I can achieve the goals I want to achieve here at Liverpool in years to come."

Rodgers can bank on Sterling to continue providing in attack, and if the likes of Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana are able to show their better sides, Liverpool will once again be a formidable force.

Financially, it of course makes sense not to spend in January, to wait on the return of Sturridge. Instead of changing personnel we could see a change of strategy in order to resolve the evident issues.

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The post-Luis Suarez era at Anfield was always going to see a drop in attacking proficiency for the Reds, but it just so happens that Sturridge's bad luck has compounded those fears.

It's by no means safe to say that spending in January will ease those burdens, and Rodgers should instead show loyalty to those already among his ranks.